Jeremy McWilliams endured a disappointing day in Sunday's Italian MotoGP at Mugello.

McWilliams looked on course for a points finish when he lay in 12th place with five laps to go.

However, mechanical problems then forced him to retire for his third time in this season's five races.

His only points finish so far this season was a 10th place in the previous race in France.

Valentino Rossi dominated from start to finish to claim his first MotoGP victory on home soil.

Ukawa third

The victory gave him a full set of Italian triumphs, Rossi having previously won 125cc and 250cc races earlier in his career.

Honda's Italian world champion, starting at the front of the grid after his fifth successive pole position this season, was twice headed by compatriot Max Biaggi early in the race.

But from the halfway stage of the 23-lap race Rossi gradually eased away to finish 2.404secs ahead of Biaggi's Yamaha.

Japan's Tohru Ukawa was third on his Honda after a thrilling duel with Spain's Carlos Checa (Yamaha).

Rossi's victory took him to 120 points at the top of the world championship standings with Ukawa second on 77 and Loris Capirossi (Honda) of Italy a distant third on 55.