Hayden wins in Assen after last lap drama

American Nicky Hayden won the Dutch TT yesterday to go 42 points clear in the MotoGP championship after a dramatic last lap duel with compatriot Colin Edwards.

Yamaha's Edwards, overtaken by his Honda rival on the penultimate lap, seized back the lead but then crashed at the final chicane.

The Texan's exit left Kentucky-born Hayden clear to take the chequered flag and step up to the top of the MotoGP podium for the first time this season, and only the second time in his career.

World champion Valentino Rossi finished a painful eighth in a damage limitation exercise after breaking a bone in his hand on Thursday and starting at the back of the field.

Edwards, a former world superbike champion, had grabbed the lead into the first corner and stayed in front until the penultimate lap when he left the door open for Hayden to slip through. The Texan fought back and recovered the lead only to wobble on the kerb, the crash destroying his hopes of a first MotoGP victory.

The bruised Edwards clambered back on his battered bike and finished 13th as Kawasaki's Japanese rider Shinya Nakano inherited a surprise second place.

Spain's Dani Pedrosa was third for Honda. Hayden took his points tally to 144 with Pedrosa on 102 and Italian Loris Capirossi, struggling to be competitive after a big crash in Barcelona last weekend, third on 100 points. Rossi slipped from third to fourth with 98.

"It was super-important (to win)," said Hayden. "Everyone was telling me be careful, be careful, just get a few points but today the bike was too good and I had to go for the win."

Australian rookie Casey Stoner was fourth, ahead of Americans Kenny Roberts and John Hopkins, the Suzuki rider who started on pole position for the first time.

Spain's Jorge Lorenzo, riding an Aprilia, won the 250cc race for his fourth victory in eight races.

San Marino's Alex de Angelis, also on an Aprilia, edged out championship leader Andrea Dovizioso on a Honda to take second place.

Lorenzo crossed the line 8.168 seconds ahead of De Angelis to cut Dovizioso's overall lead to 16 points. The Italian has 149 points to the Spaniard's 133.

Kallio tops 125cc race

Finland's Mika Kallio, riding a KTM, won the 125cc race.

Starting from pole position, Kallio beat Spaniard Sergio Gadea by 0.003 seconds after losing the lead on the last lap and then sweeping past the Aprilia at the final corner to redeem the situation.

Spain's championship leader Alvaro Bautista, also on an Aprilia, went wide on to the grass on the last lap and was third.

Leading Standings

MotoGP - 1. Hayden, Honda 144; 2. Pedrosa, Honda 102; 3. Capirossi, Ducati 100; 4. Rossi, Yamaha 98; 5. Melandri, Honda 98.

250cc - 1. Dovizioso, Honda 149; 2. Lorenzo, Aprilia 133; 3. Takahashi, Honda 99; 4. Aoyama, KTM 92; 5. De Angelis, Aprilia 91.

125cc - 1. Bautista, Aprilia 160; 2. Kallio, KTM 113; 3. Gadea, Aprilia 103; 4. Faubel, Aprilia 97; 5. Pasini, Aprilia 96.