Valentino Rossi won the Spanish Moto Grand Prix from pole position on Sunday, finishing well ahead of Jorge Lorezno and Marc Marquez.
It was the seven-time MotoGP world champion's first victory in four races this season, his 87th career victory in the top category, and his ninth win at the Jerez circuit.
The Italian stayed in front of his rivals from the start on the 4.4-kilometre track, winning in 45 minutes, 28.834 seconds.
"This was the perfect weekend," Rossi said. "The race was fantastic. I had good pace and a good start and could push ahead."
Rossi's Yamaha teammate Lorenzo crossed more than two seconds later, followed by Marquez on a Honda in third. Australian rider Jack Miller finished 17th, 49.513 seconds behind Rossi.
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Defending champion Lorenzo, who announced this week that he will leave Yamaha for Ducati next season, said that he had a problem with his tyres that stopped him from chasing Rossi.
Marquez kept his lead in the overall standings, moving up to 82 points. Lorenzo is second with 65, while Rossi is third with 58.
"After I almost crashed one, two, three times, I said 16 points for the championship was good," Marquez said.
Sam Lowes won the Moto2 race also from pole, while Brad Binder claimed the Moto3 race after starting from last on the grid.
Lowes set the pace to win in 44 minutes, 58.624 seconds. Jonas Folger was more than two seconds behind in second. Lowes leads the standings with 72 points, ahead of Alex Rins with 62.
