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Spain win ends Rossi's barren run

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JEREZ, Spain -- Five-times world champion Valentino Rossi ended a barren spell when he blew away his rivals to claim a dominant victory in the Spanish MotoGP race at Jerez on Sunday.

The Italian notched up the 85th win of his career, and seventh in all classes at the southern Spanish circuit, with an authoritative display.

He crossed the line comfortably ahead of Honda's home favorite Dani Pedrosa, clinching his first victory since Malaysia in September last year and ending a spell of five races without a win, his worst run since his debut win at Donington Park in 2000.

He now leads the championship with 45 points after two races, nine clear of Australian Casey Stoner and Pedrosa.

Rossi's Yamaha team mate Colin Edwards came home third, Spain's Toni Elias was fourth and Ducati's Stoner, who won the season-opener in Qatar, was fifth.

World champion Nicky Hayden, who made a great start from the fourth row of the grid, faded in the latter stages and could only finish seventh, one place behind a rejuvenated Carlos Checa.

"It was a great race," Rossi told Spanish television. "I'm very happy as we had to modify the bike after this morning's warm-up. I had a great battle with Pedrosa, he's a great rider and I really enjoyed it."

Rossi started in second place on the grid behind title rival Pedrosa in what had been the closest top 10 qualification in the history of the premier class.

But the Italian stamped his authority on the race when he took over at the front after slipping past Pedrosa on a hairpin on the opening lap.

Rossi's team mate Edwards settled into third, while Hayden blasted his way through from 11th spot on the grid to move into fourth spot on his Honda.

Looked sharp

Another American, Suzuki rider John Hopkins also looked sharp as he posted the fastest times in the early laps to move into fifth and keep Marco Melandri, Elias, Checa and Stoner at bay.

Ross left Pedrosa trailing in his wake as he poured on the power at the front and showed none of the problems that hampered his progress last season.

Hopkins dived under Hayden to take fourth place on lap 16, but slid off into the gravel almost immediately as he tried to keep the charging Elias at bay.

Stoner also stepped up the pace in the latter stages, powering past Hayden on his Ducati with seven laps to go, while Checa also picked off the American near the end.

Pedrosa admitted there was little he could do to stop the Italian.

"Rossi was superior today, he was very quick," said the 21-year-old. "He overtook me on the first lap and I'm just happy to be on the podium. The crowd enjoyed the race and so did I."

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