The Yamaha rider's decision to come into the pits and change bikes with just five laps to go proved correct as he cruised home in the final stages ahead of ahead of compatriot Aleix Espargaro with Britain's Cal Crutchlow in third on a Ducati.
World championship leader Marc Marquez of Spain finished 13th after crashing his Honda in the wet conditions, but still extended his overall lead by a point from teammate Dani Pedrosa as he also crashed and finished 14th.
Seven-time world champion and Italian Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi suffered an even heavier crash earlier in the race and was carried off the circuit on a stretcher.
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