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Rossi moves alongside Nieto after French MotoGP win
LE MANS, France (AFP) Valentino Rossi won the French MotoGP here on Sunday riding a Yamaha to record his 90th career win in all categories.
The Italian moved to second equal on the all-time winners list in all categories with Angel Nieto of Spain, who then chauffeured him round the track on a victory lap dressed in leathers emblazoned with the phrase 'Bravo Valentino 90' while the exuberant Italian brandished a flag declaring '90/90'.
"To win one's 90th race is fantastic and to move alongside Angel Nieto is like a dream. It was an exceptional race for me.
"I am so happy to win two in a row (he won in Shanghai, China, previously), and it is the first time I have done that since 2006.
"We are in good shape. Yamaha did a great effort over the close season to change things round," added Rossi, who never really challenged for the title last year.
Spain's Jorge Lorenzo finished in second place and confessed that even finishing fifth here would have been a success for him after he injured his ankles in Shanghai following a fall in the qualifying session.
"I thought about the race all night," he said.
"To finish second is outstanding.
"Now it is imperative that I let my ankles recover fully for the Italy MotoGP on June 1," said Lorenzo, who was helped off his bike at the race's end.
The win enabled Rossi to take the overall lead in the standings which had previously been held by Dani Pedrosa, who finished fourth here.
Rossi, who will now take aim at overhauling the all-time leader in victories - compatriot Giacomo Agostini who recorded 122 including 68 in this version, eased home ahead of Lorenzo while American Colin Edwards was third.
Reigning champion Casey Stoner had a miserable race, experiencing huge mechanical problems with eight laps remaining and the Australian had to drive slowly to the pits to change his machine.
By that stage Rossi held a massive seven-second lead over Lorenzo while Stoner limped back into action two laps later and eventually finished 16th and last of the finishers.
Earlier 32-year-old Spanish rider Alex Debon, riding an Aprilia, had recorded his first ever success in 112 races by taking the 250cc race while 20-year-old Frenchman Mike de Meglio ended a 26 year win drought for home riders by winning the rain shortened 125 class.
Il Dottore finally matching the twelve-plus-one times world champion. Such an emotive moment. 👍