MotoGP: Rossi tightens his grip

World championship leader Valentino Rossi took victory in the rain-shortened Indianapolis MotoGP on Sunday.

Italian extends lead with four races to run

World Championship leader Valentino Rossi took victory in the rain-shortened Indianapolis MotoGP race on Sunday to tighten his grip on the title. The win was the Italian's fourth in a row, with Rossi now unbeaten since his victory at the US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca in July. Heavy rains swept across the famed Brickyard, with the red flag being brought out to stop the race with seven laps left to run. Local favourite Nicky Hayden of the United States was second while Rossi's Fiat Yamaha team mate Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo finished third. Defending World Champion Casey Stoner finished fourth on his Ducati, giving Rossi a commanding 87-point lead at the top of the standings with four races remaining. Indianapolis Grand Prix MotoGP, result: 1. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha 37mins 20.095secs
2. Nicky Hayden (U.S.) Honda 37:26.067
3. Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha 37:27.953
4. Casey Stoner (Australia) Ducati 37:48.257
5. Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) Honda 37:48.919
6. Ben Spies (U.S.) Suzuki 37:49.740
7. Sylvain Guintoli (France) Ducati 37:56.318
8. Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda 37:57.353
9. Chris Vermeulen (Australia) Suzuki 37:58.537
10. Alex de Angelis (San Marino) Honda 38:02.532
11. Anthony West (Australia) Kawasaki 38:07.274
12. Toni Elias (Spain) Ducati 38:16.057
13. Randy de Puniet (France) Honda 38:17.461
14. John Hopkins (U.S.) Kawasaki 38:18.448
15. Colin Edwards (U.S.) Yamaha 38:20.708