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Agence France-Presse

Spain’s Dani Pedrosa, on a ­Honda, secured an impressive victory in the San Marino MotoGP on Sunday after a superb overtaking move on Valentino Rossi ended the Italian’s hopes at his home track.
Pedrosa started eighth on the grid, several places behind compatriot and defending world champion Jorge Lorenzo, with Rossi second ahead of Maverick Vinales.
But the Honda rider, one of only two in the field to employ a soft front tyre, produced a tactically flawless race to steadily move up to the front after Rossi had taken the lead from the second of the race’s 28 laps.
Vintage Valentino Rossi races to Catalunya MotoGP victory
Pedrosa overtook Rossi with seven laps to go and was unassailable as he powered his way to his first win of the season and 52nd of his career.

A frustrated Rossi finished a close second with Lorenzo in third.
Spain’s Marc Marquez, who finished fourth on a Honda, ­retains the lead in the world championship standings on 223 points.
Rossi is second on 180 with Lorenzo on 162 and Pedrosa 145.
“I’m very happy personally,” said Pedrosa, who collected two wins last year on his way to a fourth place finish in the title race.
“Today I focused on my rhythm and tried to do my race. This victory is for my fans, friends, family and team.”
Thousands of the estimated 100,000 fans at the track had shown their support for Rossi, the seven-time MotoGP world champion who is trying to win an eighth title in motorcycling’s top category but his first since 2009.

Although many of them spoiled Pedrosa’s podium celebrations by chanting for Rossi as he drank spumante from his boot – the Italian mimicking the antics of Australia’s Jack Miller when he won his maiden Moto GP race at Assen earlier this year – the Italian readily accepted defeat.
“I tried my hardest for Lorenzo and Marquez and when I saw that my pace would be good for the win, I was very happy,” said Rossi.
“But then I saw Pedrosa and I thought, ‘no way’. He was faster than me. I wanted to win here at Misano as it’s very special race.”
Rossi’s teammate Lorenzo claimed his third world title from the category last year.
He admitted his disappointment at failing to challenge and is already looking ahead to the Aragon GP in three weeks’ time.
“They were faster than me and I can’t be happy,” said Lorenzo.



Too fast: Dani Pedrosa stuns Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo in San Marino MotoGP

Spaniard scores his first victory of the season as he overtakes home favourite Italian hero but Marc Marquez retains championship lead

Repsol Honda Team's Spanish rider Dani Pedrosa celebrates winning the San Marino Moto GP Grand Prix race at the Marco Simoncelli Circuit in Misano, on September 11, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS

Repsol Honda Team's Spanish rider Dani Pedrosa competes to win the San Marino Moto GP Grand Prix race at the Marco Simoncelli Circuit in Misano, on September 11, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS

Spain’s Dani Pedrosa leads Italian rider Valentino Rossi during the San Marino MotoGP. Photo: AFP

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Spaniard scores his first victory of the season as he overtakes home favourite Italian hero but Marc Marquez retains championship lead


Too fast: Dani Pedrosa stuns Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo in San Marino MotoGP

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Spaniard scores his first victory of the season as he overtakes home favourite Italian hero but Marc Marquez retains championship lead

Spaniard scores his first victory of the season as he overtakes home favourite Italian hero but Marc Marquez retains championship lead