Valentino Rossi extended his domination of MotoGP racing on Sunday with victory in the French Grand Prix.
The world champion made it three wins out of four races by narrowly beating Honda rider Sete Gibernau into second place at the Le Mans track.
Rossi has moved on to 95 points in the overall standings with compatriot Marco Melandri on 58 and Gibernau on 53.
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.
"It was a fantastic race," said Rossi, who won here in 2002 but does not like Le Mans as much as other tracks.
"The conditions were very good and we made the most of them," added the Italian, who had feared a rainy race.
Spaniard Gibernau, winner here for the past two years, failed to become the first rider with three Le Mans wins in the showcase category.
Gibernau threatened until the last few bends but Rossi showed his class under pressure, beating the circuit record in the last lap.
FIRST PODIUM
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 had a poor start but soon recovered.
"I made a mistake at the start and the tyres needed a few laps to reach the right temperature but after that, it was fun," he said. "I like Le Mans better now."
Rossi 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.
EXCITING BATTLE
The 31-year-old, former world 250cc champion was deputising again for injured German Alex Hofmann after finishing second to Rossi with a fantastic ride in torrential rain at the previous race in Shanghai.
In the 250cc class, Spain's Daniel Pedrosa captured the lead in the world championship standings with a dramatic victory. The world champion won an exciting battle with Frenchman Randy De Puniet, overtaking him on the final lap to score his second win of the season after claiming the opening round in Jerez, Spain.
Swiss teenager Thomas Luthi recorded his first victory with a commanding performance in the 125cc race. The 18-year-old Honda rider, starting from pole position for the first time, led from start to finish.
The riders will now enjoy a three-week break before the next race, the Italian GP at Mugello on June 5.
