Rossi races to-back-to-back wins

Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi followed his win in China with victory at the French MotoGP to become the first rider to claim two races in 2008.

The seven-time world champion, whose win gave him the championship lead, overtook race leader Casey Stoney on lap eight and he pulled clear.

Spain’s Jorge Lorenzo remarkably finished second despite his fractured ankles ahead of American Colin Edwards.

But Britain’s James Toseland dropped out on lap three in Le Mans.

Rossi controlled the race perfectly to move to the top of the drivers’ standings level on 97 points with Danny Pedrosa, who finished fourth in France. Lorenzo lies in third with 94 points.

The Italian told the BBC after the race: “It’s a long time since I won two races in a row it means we are back in business and back on pace.

“It has been a difficult period for the team but now we are so strong.

“We are now at the top of the championship so we must stay concentrated and have more wins like this.”