Current MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) just barely managed to stay in front of teammate Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) and win the German Grand Prix, in what is one of the most exciting duels of the year, at the Sachsenring.

Starting from pole, Rossi kept the lead into the first corner, followed closely by Dani Pedrosa (Honda) who literally jumped from eighth to second, and Randy de Puniet (Honda), who crashed heavily a few corners later.

Meanwhile, Casey Stoner (Ducati) was battling his way forward and overtook Pedrosa on lap 5, continuing his charge and finally taking the lead away from Rossi on lap 7. Unfortunately for the Australian, he wasn't able to open up a gap on Rossi, and was passed back by the Italian ten laps later, with Lorenzo also overtaking Stoner on lap 18, who lost ground to the top trio but held on for fourth at the flag.

With five of the 30 laps left, Lorenzo took the lead from Rossi, who passed Lorenzo back at the start of the last lap. Despite repeated attempts by the Spaniard to take the lead back, there was nothing he could, with Rossi defending the line all the way to the finish.

The British Grand Prix is next, at Donington Park this coming Sunday July 26th.

MotoGP German Grand Prix - Results

Pos Rider Bike Time/Gap
1. Valentino Rossi Yamaha 41m21.769s
2. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha + 0.099s
3. Dani Pedrosa Honda + 2.899s
4. Casey Stoner Ducati + 10.226s
5. Alex de Angelis Honda + 21.522s
6. Toni Elias Honda + 30.852s
7. Etc

MotoGP Rider Standings – After 9 of 17 rounds

Pos Rider Bike Points
1. Valentino Rossi Yamaha 176
2. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 162
3. Casey Stoner Ducati 148
4. Dani Pedrosa Honda 108
5. Colin Edwards Yamaha 83




Photo Credit : MotoGP