Loris Capirossi wins Czech Grand Prix

Italian Loris Capirossi won the MotoGP Czech Grand Prix yesterday after leading from start to finish.

The Ducati rider, attacking from second place on the grid, sustained a gap he built in the early stages to finish 4.90secs in front of defending world champion Valentino Rossi, who made a slow start from pole.

Rossi, bidding to win his sixth consecutive MotoGP title and cheered on by the enthusiastic crowd, fended off a late challenge from Spain’s Dani Pedrosa, who took third at the 5.4-km Brno circuit.

Nicky Hayden of the United States finished ninth and retained his overall lead but his advantage over Pedrosa shrunk to 25 points. Rossi moved up from fourth to third overall, 38 points behind Hayden.

The 20-year-old Pedrosa remains well on his way to become the Rookie of the Year in the premier-class after winning at the Brno track in the 250cc class last year. – Reuters