Yamaha's Rossi takes out Chinese GP, ending winless streak

The Associated Press ,  Shanghai, China   |  Sun, 05/04/2008 3:22 PM

Valentino Rossi snapped his longest spell without a Moto GP win since his debut top-class season by winning the Chinese GP on Sunday.

The five-time world champion drew away in the final laps on his Fiat Yamaha to finally shake off the challenge of Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa, who was second ahead of reigning world champion Casey Stoner of Ducati Marlboro.

Rossi's teammate Jorge Lorenzo was fourth on his 21st birthday, putting in a brave showing after having chipped his left ankle bone in a spectacular crash in Friday's practice.

It was Rossi's first win since the Portugese race last season -- eight races ago. That was the longest spell without a win for the Italian since his first eight winless races in 2000, which was his first season in 500cc, the forerunner to Moto GP.

Pedrosa's second place gave him the outright lead in the 2008 championship. The Spaniard is on 81 points, seven ahead of compatriot Lorenzo. Rossi is third on 72 points, with Stoner fourth on 56.

Finland's Mika Kallio won the 250cc race, ahead of KTM teammate Hiroshi Aoyama. Mattia Pasini for Polaris Aprilia was third.

Italy's Andrea Iannone won the 125cc race aboard an IC Aprilia, ahead of Frenchman Mike Di Meglio for Ajo Derbi and Hungary's Gabor Talmacsi for Bancaja Aspar Aprilia. (****)

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