For once Rossi had to settle for second

"It was a very special race for me," said Barros, who is leaving his team at the end of the season. "It's great to end this way after four years."

Max Biaggi finished third and sealed second place in the championship ahead of Rossi's team mate Tohru Ukawa.

Rossi had already clinched the title back in September, and although he missed out on equalling Doohan's record, the Italian did set two new records.

The second place was his 15th podium finish of the year and it brought his points total to 355 for the season.

In the other races Italy's Marco Melandri, on an Aprilia, led all the way and easily won the 250cc race to claim his ninth victory of the year.

He already had claimed the 2002 world championship.

First French triumph

Roberto Rolfo of Italy edged out Emilio Alzamora of Spain for second, but both were well behind Melandri who was already celebrating with a wheelie.

In the 125cc class, Arnaud Vincent became the first Frenchman to win a world championship when he rode a flawless race to finish second.

"I am overjoyed," said Vincent. "This is the best day of my life and one that I have dreamed of ever since I started racing."

Results from Valencia:

500cc:

1 Alex Barros (Bra) Honda 47 minutes 22.404 seconds
2 Valentino Rossi (Ita) 47:22.634
3 Max Biaggi (Ita) Yamaha 47:37.617
4 Daijiro Kato (Japan) Honda 47:44.908
5 Tohru Ukawa (Japan) Honda

250cc:

1 Marco Melandri (Ita) Aprilia 43min 57.812sec
2 Roberto Rolfo (Ita) Honda at 4.318sec
3 Emilio Alzamora (Spa) Honda 4.538
4 Randy de Puniet (Fra) Aprilia 18.214
5 Roberto Locatelli (Ita) Aprilia 21.990

125cc:

1 Daniel Pedrosa (Spa) Honda 42min 13.044sec
2 Arnaud Vincent (Fra) Aprilia at 0.100sec
3 Pablo Nieto (Spa) Aprilia 2.704
4 Alex de Angelis (RSM) Aprilia 3.069
5 Steve Jenkner (Ger) Aprilia 3.136