Italian MotoGP great Valentino Rossi enjoyed one of the most satisfying wins of an extraordinary career by beating his Spanish rivals with a dominant display at their home circuit yesterday.

The 37-year-old Yamaha rider led every lap on the way to his 113th career victory, and record 87th in the top class. He had started on pole position and also set the fastest lap.

Team-mate and reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo, who passed Rossi for a matter of seconds on lap two before being swiftly put back in his place, finished second for his 100th MotoGP podium.

Championship leader and fellow Spaniard Marc Marquez, who had a headline-grabbing spat with Rossi at the end of last season when the Italian accused him of helping Lorenzo, was third for Honda.

After four of the season’s 18 races, and the first in Europe, Marquez has 82 points and Lorenzo 65. Rossi is third with 58.

“This was the perfect weekend,” said the Italian, who will have a new team-mate next season with Lorenzo leaving for Ducati, after finishing 2.3 seconds clear.

“The bike in the race was fantastic... I had a good pace, a good start, I feel good with the bike from the beginning so I can push. It was a special taste, a win like this.”

Rossi had not won since last August’s British GP at a wet Silverstone, but Jerez has been good to him in the past and yesterday was his seventh top flight win there.

Standings

1. Marquez (Honda) 82; 2. Lorenzo (Yamaha) 65; 3. Rossi (Yamaha) 58; 4. Pedrosa (Honda) 40; 5. P. Espargaro (Yamaha) 36; 6. Vinales (Suzuki) 33; 7. A. Espargaro (Suzuki) 32; 8. Barbera (Ducati) 31; 9. Laverty (Ducati) 28; 10. Iannone (Ducati) 25.