Reigning champion Jorge Lorenzo was handed victory at his home MotoGP race on a dramatic wet afternoon in Spain which saw former world champions Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner clash.

Yamaha rider Lorenzo was able to ease away to a comfortable victory in Jerez after Rossi crashed into Stoner after an ill-advised overtaking manoeuvre at the end of lap six.

Ducati rider Rossi had stormed through the pack after starting the race in 12th place as he used all his experience and was able to continue but the collision ended Honda rider Stoner’s race.

Marco Simoncelli then looked set to win his maiden MotoGP race as he was left in the lead but he crashed out to hand Lorenzo the win and the overall lead in the standings.

Stoner’s team-mate Dani Pedrosa made it a one-two for Spain with Nicky Hayden third and Hiroshi Aoyama fourth. Rossi eventually came home in fifth place.

The field started with full wet tyres and Rossi put his skills to good effect as he made up four places on the opening lap.

The Italian was soon up into fourth and setting the fastest lap of the race as he continued to carve through the field while Simoncelli passed Lorenzo and Stoner to take the lead.

Rossi then moved past Lorenzo to take third as the rain eased off before he dived up the inside of Stoner into turn one at the start of lap seven. But the nine-time champion lost the front end of his Ducati and took Stoner down with him into the gravel trap, and while Rossi was able to remount his bike and continue Stoner’s race was over.

That left Simoncelli with a huge lead but crashed out at the same corner as Rossi when he high-sided his Gresini Honda and was forced to retire.