 Barros celebrates the seventh MotoGP win of his career |
Brazil's Alex Barros took victory in a rain-hit Portuguese MotoGP after race leader Sete Gibernau crashed out. World champion Valentino Rossi finished second, with fellow Italian Max Biaggi third following an excellent start that put him up to second on the first lap.
Spain's Gibernau led from the start in treacherous conditions at Estoril but went out on lap 16 when his Honda slid from under him on a corner.
It was the first GP win for 34-year-old Barros since Valencia in 2002.
Gibernau's exit follows his loss in last weekend's season-opener in Spain when he was pushed into second by Yamaha rider Rossi on the final corner.
Britain's James Ellison coped well with the difficult conditions to claim 15th on his Blata WCM - just the second time he has claimed MotoGP points in his fledgling career.
Compatriot Shane Byrne, who was forced to retire after just a few laps last weekend, suffered more problems in Portugal.
 |  I'm very happy, it was a perfect weekend |
He pulled his troubled Roberts KTM bike into the pits at the end of lap one before rejoining three laps down and finishing a distant 16th.
A delighted Barros said afterwards: "The race was really tricky with the rain and all, but we did it."
Rossi, who failed to qualify on the front row for the first time since last year's Qatar GP, also declared himself satisfied with his day's work.
"I'm very happy because we take home 20 points and that is very important for us" he said.
Portuguese MotoGP results: 1. Alex Barros (Bra) Honda 47:14.053
2. Valentino Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 47:16.824
3. Max Biaggi (Ita) Honda 47:20.124
4. Marco Melandri (Ita) Honda 47:43.599
5. Carlos Checa (Spa) Ducati 47:43.827
6. Colin Edwards (US) Yamaha 47:58.269
7. Nicky Hayden (US) Honda 48:11.174
8. Shinya Nakano (Jap) Kawasaki 48:13.900
9. Loris Capirossi (Ita) Ducati 48:21.771
10. Ruben Xaus (Spa) Yamaha 48:36.484
11. Troy Bayliss (Aus) Honda 48:47.582
12. Kenny Roberts Jr (US) Suzuki 48:48.104
13. Roberto Rolfo (Ita) Ducati 48:50.009
14. Toni Elias (Spa) Yamaha 48:50.545
15. James Ellison (GB) Blata
16. Shane Byrne (GB) Roberts KTM
Updated standings:
1. Valentino Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 45
2. Alex Barros (Bra) Honda 38
3. Marco Melandri (Ita) Honda 29
4. Max Biaggi (Ita) Honda 25
5. Sete Gibernau (Spa) Honda 20
6. Shinya Nakano (Jap) Kawasaki 19
=7. Carlos Checa (Spa) Ducati 17
=7. Colin Edwards (US) Yamaha 17
9. Troy Bayliss (Aus) Honda 15
10. Loris Capirossi (Ita) Ducati 10
MMIX
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