Current MotoGP World champion Valentino Rossi came back from a bad start to win his hometown and home country race at Misano, where the San Marino Grand Prix was held this past weekend. The victory allowed Rossi to increase his lead in the championship over Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo.

Rossi, who had earned his sixth pole of the 2009 season on Saturday, dropped back to fourth at the start with fast moving Dani Pedrosa (Honda) jumping to an unchallenged lead from the green light. Rossi fought his way back past Pedrosa on lap eight of the 28 lap race, and then took full advantage of the clear track in front of him, leaving Pedrosa to deal with Lorenzo.

It was only a matter of time before Lorenzo, who was obviously capable of a quicker pace than the Honda rider, overtook his Spanish compatriot, which he did on lap 14. By then, Rossi had a lead of nearly three seconds which he managed until taking the chequered flag still in front of his team-mate.

Pedrosa settled for a safe third place more than ten seconds behind the Yamaha team-mates, while Andrea Dovizioso on the other factory Honda beat Suzuki’s Loris Capirossi for fourth place after a hard battle, a full 14 seconds behind Pedrosa.

Next stop will be in Portugal on October the 4th.

MotoGP: San Marino GP - Results
Pos Rider Bike Time/Gap
1. Valentino Rossi Yamaha 44m32.882s
2. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha + 2.416s
3. Dani Pedrosa Honda + 12.400s
4. Andrea Dovizioso Honda + 26.330s
5. Loris Capirossi Suzuki + 26.539s
6. Etc…………

MotoGP Standings – After Round 13 of 17
Pos. Rider Points
1. Valentino Rossi 237
2. Jorge Lorenzo 207
3. Dani Pedrosa 157
4. Casey Stoner 150
5. Andrea Dovizioso 133




Photo Credit : MotoGP