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Valentino Rossi has won the Dutch MotoGP in Assen to record his 100th career win and take the overall lead in the world championship standings.
The eight-time world champion beat home his Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo while Australia’s 2007 world champion Casey Stoner was third on a Ducati.
Rossi – who unfurled a banner recording all his previous 99 successes – was ecstatic.
“I am so happy. I felt good on the first lap and knowing that Lorenzo is difficult to beat I put my foot down to establish as big an advantage as possible over him,” said Rossi.
“It gives me great pleasure to record this victory. This is a great moment for me,” added Rossi, who is 22 victories away from breaking the all-time record of Giacomo Agostini.
Lorenzo, who confesses to having a difficult relationship with Rossi, lauded his team-mate.
“I want to congratulate Valentino. It is quite some achievement to win 100 Grand Prix,” said Lorenzo.
Stoner said that he had wilted as he was feeling ill.
“I felt fine till Friday, but today (Saturday) I felt tired after the first couple of laps,” said the frail-looking Australian.
“I have been taking any amount of supplements to keep my body up to scratch but it has been a tough battle.”
Rossi might have been on pole but it was Stoner who seized the initiative from the off as he took the lead, while Lorenzo was stuck in sixth after the first of the 26 laps despite starting from third.
The major casualty of the race was Dani Pedrosa, who crashed out with 22 laps remaining as the Spaniard – who is recovering from injury – overdid it on a corner.
However, Lorenzo fought his way up the field and was challenging Rossi with seven laps remaining while Stoner was back in third.
Rossi had a lead of over four seconds with four laps remaining over his team-mate, Lorenzo, and was never troubled to go on and take the race.
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