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Rossi: First win of season

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• 2007/08 A1GP Schedule
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Seven-time world champion Valentino Rossi claimed his first victory of the MotoGP season, and his first for seven races, as he won in wet conditions at the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday.

The Italian, who started second on the grid behind Colin Edwards, took control of the race early on after seizing the lead from Dani Pedrosa on lap four and never looked back.

He eventually won in a time of 44 minutes 8.061 seconds, 3.89 seconds ahead of Pedrosa in second, with reigning world champion Casey Stoner in third.

"I'm very, very happy. It's been a long time without victory," said the flamboyant Yamaha rider who had not won since last season's race in Portugal.

"I felt confident with my bike from the first lap. The start was not so bad and after I went in front I kept my rhythm. It was a great battle with Dani.

"My rhythm was fantastic to the end, and I was able to ride the bike like I wanted, so it was a great victory,"

Jorge Lorenzo, who suffered a broken ankle in a huge crash in qualifying in Friday, produced a brave ride to come home fourth.

Pole-sitter Edwards could do no better than seventh while England's James Toseland finished 12th.

Pedrosa's second place was enough to take him to the top of the world championship standings ahead of Lorenzo, Rossi and Stoner.