Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) became the second rider to reach 100 wins in motorcycle Grand Prix history by taking a dominating win at the Dutch MotoGP race, at Assen on Saturday.


Starting from pole position, the reigning and six-time MotoGP world champion slipped to second behind Dani Pedrosa (Honda) at turn one, with Casey Stoner (Ducati) also passing him later on the first lap. Stoner then got by Pedrosa to take the lead, followed by Rossi, who also worked his way around the Spaniard.

Rossi then passed Stoner for first on lap 2, with team mate Jorge Lorenzo fighting his way back from sixth after a disastrous start. Riding hard, Lorenzo caught up to Stoner on lap four, passing him one lap later, while Rossi made good on his escape with a 1.5sec lead, that grew to 2sec by lap 7 of the 26 lap race.

The Doctor took the chequered flag for his 100th GP win (Combined 125GP, 250GP, 500GP and MotoGP races), 5.4sec in front of Lorenzo, with Stoner trailing the two leaders, and thus breaking the three-way tie at the top of the tight Championship race.

Unfortunately, the already injured Pedrosa crashed out when he lost the front of his RC212V at turn one at the start of lap five, while team-mate Andrea Dovizioso suffered exactly the same fate, at exactly the same corner five laps later.

Round eight of the MotoGP World Championship, the US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca, takes place next weekend.

MotoGP Round 7 – Results
Pos. Rider Manufacturer Gap
1. Valentino Rossi Yamaha 26 laps
2. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha +5.368sec
3. Casey Stoner Ducati +23.113sec
4. Colin Edwards Yamaha +29.114sec
5. Chris Vermeulen Suzuki +33.605sec
6. James Toseland Yamaha +39.347sec
7. Etc……….

MotoGP Standings – After round 7 of 17
Pos. Rider Manufacturer Points
1. Valentino Rossi Yamaha 131
2. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 126
3. Casey Stoner Ducati 122
4. Andrea Davizioso Honda 69
5. Colin Edward Yamaha 67
-. Dani Pedrosa Honda 67







Photo Credit : Yamaha