Despite starting fourth on the grid, Valentino Rossi took his first win of the 2009 season at Jerez, ahead of teammate Jorge Lorenzo who crashed in front of his Spanish fans and lost the championship lead.

Honda's Dani Pedrosa took the lead at the start while pole-sitter Lorenzo worked hard to hang on to his fellow countryman and arch enemy Pedrosa. Casey Stoner (Ducati) kept an eye on things from third place, followed by a crafty Valentino Rossi, who stayed in touch with the trio ahead of him, looking for the strengths and weaknesses of the guys ahead of him.

Dani Pedrosa, Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner on the Podium at Jerez.

While Lorenzo slipped to fourth, Vales passed Stoner on lap seven, setting off after Pedrosa, who was working at building himself a small lead on those behind him. By half-distance, Rossi was on Pedrosa's tail, passing him on lap 16 and going on to a 2.7 sec. lead at the finish.

The action behind Vale never let up, with a fading Stoner under pressure from Lorenzo until the Spaniard's race low-sided just four laps from home.
With this win, Rossi takes over from Lorenzo at the top of the championship. The teams will be back for the next round of MotoGP at Le Mans (France) on May 17.

MotoGP Jerez race results (Round 3)

1. Valentino Rossi Yamaha 45m18.557s
2. Dani Pedrosa Honda + 2.700s
3. Casey Stoner Ducati + 10.507s
4. Randy de Puniet LCR Honda + 31.893s
5. Marco Melandri Hayate Kawasaki + 33.128s
6. Colin Edwards Tech 3 Yamaha + 34.128s
7. Loris Capirossi Suzuki + 34.421s
8. Andrea Dovizioso Honda + 34.625s
9. Toni Elias Honda + 42.689s
10. Chris Vermeulen Suzuki + 45.183s
11. ...................

MotoGP Championship Standings - Round No.3

1- Valentino Rossi Yamaha 65 points
2- Casey Stoner Ducati 54 points
3- JorgeLorenzo Yamaha 41 points
4- Dani Pedrosa Honda 41 points
5- A. Davizioso Honda 30 points


Photo Credit : MotoGP