Rossi closes on Stoner after Dutch win

Former world champion Valentino Rossi narrowed the gap to overall MotoGP leader Casey Stoner after his Dutch Grand Prix victory yesterday.

Rossi, who cut Australian Stoner's advantage in the world championship standings by five points to 21, took the lead three laps before the end after moving up from 11th place.

In dry but windy conditions Rossi finished in 42 minutes 37.149 seconds ahead of Stoner and Honda's American rider Nicky Hayden, who snatched his first podium position this season.

"It was my best race this year for sure," Rossi told Dutch RTL television. "It was a great, great battle with Casey and an important victory," he said.

Australia's Chris Vermeulen, who started from pole position for the third time in his career, came 16th after a crash with France's Randy de Puniet with 15 laps to go.

None of the MotoGP races this year have been won from pole.

In the 250cc class, Spain's world champion Jorge Lorenzo secured his sixth victory this year. The Aprilia rider began on pole and completed a wire-to-wire victory in 40 minutes 25.904 seconds.

Italian Alex de Angelis was second ahead of another Spaniard, Alvaro Bautista, as Aprilia swept the top three places after a similar achievement in the 125cc earlier yesterday.

De Angelis has finished in the top four in every race this year and took his fifth podium place of the season yesterday.

Italy's Mattia Pasini won the 125cc category, his second win in six days. Championship leader Hector Faubel, of Spain, edged out Hungary's Gabor Talmacsi for second place.

Leading drivers' standings

1. Stoner (Ducati) 185 points; 2. Rossi (Yamaha) 164; 3. Pedrosa (Honda) 119; 4. Hopkins (Suzuki) 94; 5. Vermeulen (Suzuki) 88; 6. Melandri (Honda) 87; 7. Edwards (Yamaha) 75; 8. Barros (Ducati) 69; 9. Capirossi (Ducati), Hayden (Honda) 57.