Rossi increases MotoGP domination
 |  Rossi is chasing a fifth world title in the sport's premier class |
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LE MANS, France -- Valentino Rossi increased his domination of MotoGP racing with victory in the French Grand Prix in Le Mans.
The world champion made it three wins out of four races by narrowly beating Honda rider Sete Gibernau into second place.
The 26-year-Italian, chasing a fifth world title in the premier class, seized the lead on his Yamaha with just over seven laps remaining in a race held in cloudy but dry weather.
Spaniard Gibernau, winner in the past two years, was bidding to become the first rider with three Le Mans wins in the showcase category.
Rossi's team mate Colin Edwards led for most of the race but the American had to be content with third place, his first podium finish this season.
Setting off from pole position, Rossi, who won in Le Mans in 2002 but has often struggled on what is not his favorite track, had a poor start.
He was in sixth position for the first few laps but soon worked his way up the field and was second just behind Edwards after eight laps.
Brazilian Alex Barros, the only man to have beaten Rossi this season with victory in Portugal, crashed out on his Honda with 15 laps remaining.
There was disappointment for the home fans with local favourite Olivier Jacque finishing only 11th, nearly a minute back on his Kawasaki.
The 31-year-old, former world 250cc champion was deputizing again for injured German Alex Hofmann after finishing second to Rossi with a fantastic ride in torrential rain at the previous race in Shanghai.
