Valentino Rossi took his fourth consecutive win this season at Catalunya after running a flawless race against local hero Sete Gibernau. Just like last year, the Spaniard led most of the race but proved unable to prevent a late surge from the reigning World Champion.At the race got underway, Valentino Rossi diced for top position with Sete Gibernau and his Movistar Honda team-mate Marco Melandri, before settling for second behind Gibernau. As the pair escaped from the pack, Melandri was battling for third position with Honda factory colleagues Alex Barros and Nicky Hayden.
Rossi charged with only three laps to go, setting a new lap record on the way to his 47th win in the premier class.
"It was a great race! The pace was incredible, lapping in the 1'43 after a hard battle at the start of the race," commented Rossi. "Gibernau did a great job today, he was very quick, but as the race went on, he began to slide and I was able to push in the last few laps. I made my move and did three amazing laps to get this great win."
Behind Rossi and Gibernau, Marco Melandri secured his third podium of the season after an all-out battle against Brazilian veteran Barros and an impressive Hayden. Max Biaggi crossed the line in a lonely sixth position, taking the flag 12s after the winner.
Source: DORNA COMMUNICATIONS