Seven-time world champion Valentino Rossi won the San Marino Grand Prix here on Sunday ahead of team-mate Jorge Lorenzo and Spaniard Toni Elias.
Rossi was, for the third race in succession, starting from second on the grid for the Gran Premio Cinzano di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini. He could do nothing to stop title rival Stoner from taking the holeshot early, however, as the reigning World Champion established a large gap even before the first time that the riders crossed the start/finish line. Rossi was making up ground by the seventh lap, but the fans were denied a fascinating direct battle between the two when Stoner lost control of his Ducati Desmosedici GP8 and –as he did at Brno two weeks ago- saw his race come to an early conclusion.
From then on, Rossi completed the race in relatively untroubled fashion, bringing his Yamaha M1 home safely and taking his 68th premier class victory, in doing so equaling the record of MotoGP Legend Giacomo Agostini. Four consecutive race victories, a 75 point advantage in the standings and just five events remaining in 2008 mean that `The Doctor´ can now breathe a little easier after this latest triumph.
Stoner remains second in the world championship race but just two points ahead of Spain’s Dani Pedrosa after the Honda Repsol rider finished fourth.
Rossi, winner of seven world championships across all classes, has five races left in the season to seal another title.
“It is incredible to get three in a row,” Rossi said. “It was another great battle with Stoner - we know that Stoner is very strong.
“To win my 68th race in my hometown is incredible. I saw Giacomo Agostini before the race, and he was laughing. So I said to him I would try to win today.
“We have a great advantage and we are one race closer to the title.
“Last year, in these three races, I took nine points, this year 75, so it’s not too bad.”
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