British victory for Rossi

Rossi led for virtually all of the race

World champion Valentino Rossi showed his strength to win the British Grand Prix at Donington Park from pole.

The Italian led for all but the first lap of the race in his Yamaha as he recorded his fifth win of the season.

Former world superbike champion Colin Edwards was second for his first podium finish since his switch to MotoGP at the start of 2003.

Honda team-mate Sete Gibernau was third ahead of American Nicky Hayden, with Australia's Troy Bayliss fifth.

Rossi now has 164 points in the title race, while Gibernau and Max Biaggi, who finished a disappointing 12th, share second on 142 points.

I know that advantage is going to prove vital in the second half of the season when we go to circuits which might not suit the bike Valentino Rossi

Rossi reckons Sunday's victory has given him a "vital" advantage in the championship race.

Rossi went into the Donington Park event with 139 championship points - just one more than second-placed Max Biaggi.

But his lead is now 22 after Biaggi finished down the field in 12th.

"I know that advantage is going to prove vital in the second half of the season when we go to circuits which might not suit the bike," said Rossi.

"I knew it would be possible to have a good race today but I didn't have the best of starts.

To all the nay-sayers, up yours Colin Edwards

Edwards was similarly delighted after finishing second to Rossi.

The 30-year-old American has suffered a disappointing MotoGP career since leaving superbikes as champion at the end of 2002.

"I've had a lot of pressure since the beginning of the year from people who think I should have been doing better," he said.

"To all the nay-sayers, up yours. I'm here, I'm back and I'm ready."

Reigning World Superbike champion Neil Hodgson was the leading Briton home in 10th with Shane Byrne in 13th and Ulsterman Jeremy McWilliams 16th.

Davies angered by crash

Spain's Daniel Pedrosa claimed his fourth 250cc victory of the season after a strong display.

Pedrosa, who now leads the standings by 34 points, finished ahead of Aprilia duo Sebastian Porto from Argentina and Frenchman Randy de Puniet.

Championship leader Andrew Dovizioso won the 125cc race from pole by nearly four seconds ahead of Spanish duo Alvaro Bautista and Jorge Lorenzo.

The Italian's biggest rival Roberto Locatelli crashed his Aprilia on the 22nd lap while he was in third place.