BBC SPORT | Motorsport | Motorbikes | Rossi rides to victory

Valentino Rossi has won MotoGP's British Grand Prix at Donington Park.

The Italian championship leader shrugged off a nasty crash on Friday to ride his Honda bike to a seventh win of the season.

Compatriot Max Biaggi brought his Yamaha home in second, with Brazilian Alex Barros third on a Honda.

The weekend started very badly because I had the crash, but I was able to ride very well

Valentino Rossi

Not even a visit to hospital after Friday's fall could prevent Rossi from claiming his fourth consecutive victory at the British circuit.

The 23-year-old has a commanding lead in the overall standings. His 195 points put him well clear of Japanese team-mate Torhu Ukawa (108) and Barros (87).

And he expressed his delight after a difficult few days.

"The weekend started very badly because I had the crash, but I was able to ride very well."

In the 250cc class, Italian Marco Melandri won his fourth straight championship round, robbing Fonsi Nieto on a thrilling last lap.

Rossi crashes out

An Aprilia podium sweep was assured when Toni Elias passed Franco Battaini, also on the last lap, for third place.

"It was a wonderful race," said Melandri, who leads Spain's Nieto by 13 points in the standings.

Earlier Frenchman Arnaud Vincent celebrated Bastille Day by winning the 125cc race, his first victory since the opening round of the season at Suzuka.

San Marino's Gilera rider Manuel Poggiali still leads the championship with 147 points, 16 ahead of Daniel Pedrosa with 27-year-old Vincent in third spot.

Leading finishers at Donnington Park:

1. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Honda 46 minutes 32.888 seconds
2. Max Biaggi (Italy) Yamaha 46:35.259
3. Alex Barros (Brazil) Honda 46:38.421
4. Norick Abe (Japan) Yamaha 46:54.924
5. Olivier Jacque (France) Yamaha 47:00.975
6. Sete Gibernau (Spain) Suzuki 47:01.288
7. Daijiro Kato (Japan) Honda 47:01.835
8. John Hopkins (US) Yamaha 47:04.385
9. Nobuatsu Aoki (Japan) Proton KR 47:04.835
10. Shinya Nakano (Japan) Yamaha 47:14.342

Leading world championship standings (after eight races):

1. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Honda 195 points
2. Tohru Ukawa (Japan) Honda 108
3. Max Biaggi (Italy) Yamaha 89
4. Alex Barros (Brazil) Honda 87
5. Carlos Checa (Spain) Yamaha 72


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