Gibernau started on pole

Gibernau, riding for Telefonica Movistar Honda, claimed the win a week after his Japanese team-mate Daijiro Kato was killed at the Japanese MotoGP.

"I don't have words to express how I am feeling," he said.

"We will carry Daijiro in our hearts for the rest of our lives," Gibernau added, as he thanked the team, his family and the motorcycle racing community for their support during a difficult week.

Double world champion Valentino Rossi, who won the first race of the season, finished second, with fellow Italian Max Biaggi third.

"This was not a normal second place," said Rossi. "I am pleased for myself and for the team with second, and I think we will all agree that this was also a victory for Daijiro."

Delayed start

Ulsterman Jeremy McWilliams saw his race end on the first lap when his Proton KR machine was forced off the track after American Colin Edwards crashed.

Gibernau, who last won a race in 2001, started the race from pole position.

Troy Bayliss made a fast start to get ahead on his Ducati but Gibernau regained the lead and then held off a late challenge form Rossi to win.

Newcastle's Chris Burns was forced to sit out his second race in a row after his Harris WCM team was ruled to have broken technical regulations.

The race had been delayed while the track was cleaned after Suzuki rider Kenny Roberts' engine blew during the warm-up and left a long trail of oil on the circuit.

South African MotoGP