Fiat Yamaha's Valentino Rossi was the winner today at Brno following the crash of pole sitter Casey Stoner on lap 7, the Australian being in front at the time.

It is an important victory to Rossi as he extends his championship lead to a formidable 50 points over the current champion.

Stoner's crash ended a run of six podiums and has seriously dented his chances of recovering the points deficit that built up during Ducati's early season slump.

Loris Capirossi came in third for Suzuki on his return to full fitness. Shinya Nakano finished fourth on the Gresini-run factory pneumatic valve-engine Honda and Anthony West completed the Top 5.

Race Results:

Pos Rider Bike Time
1. Valentino Rossi Yamaha (B) 43:28.841
2. Toni Elias Ducati (B) + 15.004
3. Loris Capirossi Suzuki (B) + 21.689
4. Shinya Nakano Honda (B) + 25.859
5. Anthony West Kawasaki (B) + 29.465
6. Chris Vermeulen Suzuki (B) + 30.608
7. Marco Melandri Ducati (B) + 36.453
8. Alex de Angelis Honda (B) + 36.750
9. Andrea Dovizioso Honda (M) + 38.822
10. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha (M) + 39.573
11. John Hopkins Kawasaki (B) + 39.610
12. Sylvain Guintoli Ducati (B) + 40.892
13. James Toseland Yamaha (M) +1:11.490
14. Colin Edwards Yamaha (M) +1:21.133
15. Dani Pedrosa Honda (M) +1:37.038
16. Randy de Puniet Honda (M) +1:38.407

Retirements:
Rider Bike Laps
Casey Stoner Ducati (B) 6