Valentino Rossi extended his lead in the MotoGP championship to 49 points on Sunday when he beat off a trio of compatriots to clinch a dramatic home victory at Mugello.

Valentino Rossi extended his lead in the MotoGP championship to 49 points on Sunday when he beat off a trio of compatriots to clinch a dramatic home victory at Mugello.

As old favourite Sete Gibernau crashed out on lap six of the Italian Grand Prix, Rossi came under increased pressure from Max Biaggi, Marco Melandri and Loris Capirossi at the front of the race.

His fellow Italians all took turns leading the race before a late charge by the reigning champion saw him take the chequered flag ahead of Biaggi and Capirossi in typical Rossi fashion.

"That was an incredible race and the best possible finish for the crowd, with four Italian riders in the top four positions," said Rossi. "It was a great battle - full of passes and full of attacks. In the beginning I tried to go alone but I had some problems with the front tyre and decided just to concentrate on my rhythm."

"Great race," said second-placed Biaggi. "I'm super-happy with the result. We come out from a terrible situation in the best way - stepping on the podium and, more than everything, fighting for the win. We almost made it. "

"Ducati arrived in a good position today and we can expect better and better from now on," beamed Capirossi after securing Ducati's first podium finish of the season. "I have changed my riding style to look after the tyres. Normally I am on or off with the throttle, but now I am trying to be smoother."

Despite his best attempts to unnerve Capirossi in the final corner, Melandri had to settle for fourth place, while Carlos Checa clinched fifth place for Ducati after a race-long battle with Honda's Nicky Hayden. Alex Barros finished seventh after starting 13th on the grid.

Returning from injury just seven weeks after breaking his wrist in Portugal, Makoto Tamada finished in eighth place ahead of Colin Edwards. Shinya Nakano finished in tenth place.

Original article from Car