Valentino Rossi fought from fourth on the grid to win the French MotoGP at Le Mans by almost five seconds from Fiat Yamaha team-mate and rookie sensation Jorge Lorenzo, who began in fifth. Briton James Toseland of Yamaha Tech 3 retired only two laps in while his team-mate Colin Edwards took third.

The finish means that Italian Rossi takes over at the top of the riders’ standings with 97 points, while Spaniards Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa - who finished fourth after a battle with American Edwards - are level on 94.

Reigning world champion Casey Stoner was fifth after holding a podium position for several laps and is fourth overall, a massive 38 points further back.

Valentino Rossi ha vinto il GP di Francia classe MotoGP, quinta prova del Mondiale 2008. Il pesarese della Yamaha ha dominato davanti ai compagni di marca Jorge Lorenzo e Colin Edwards. Quarto Daniel Pedrosa, sesto Andrea Dovizioso, settimo Loris Capirossi. Nel Mondiale Rossi ha così conquistato la testa.