German MotoGP: Rossi and Lorenzo in Yamaha 1-2

Valentino Rossi was made to fight for glory at the German MotoGP race at Sachsenring on July 19, defeating teammate Jorge Lorenzo by the smallest of margins in a breathtaking race.

After starting from pole for the first time at the German track, Rossi took the lead on lap 14. Both the Italian and Lorenzo then eked out an advantage to make it a two-way battle to the chequered flag, with a last lap battle reminiscent of the Barcelona round of the championship one month ago.

Rossi’s definitive pass had come at the end of the home straight with two laps to go, and he brushed off the young pretender’s overtures for his fourth win of the 2009 season. Last start winner Dani Pedrosa (Honda) was third from Australia’s Casey Stoner (Ducati).

“I think this was a great race for everyone because there were all four leading riders of the championship, fighting very closely and all in strong form,” said Rossi. “We knew that they would all be tough to beat today so I am very pleased about this win.

“I rode very well and my team worked brilliantly all weekend to find the right setting. I had a very good start today, a great battle with Stoner early on and then after half race distance I was a little faster and really able to push at the maximum, which was great fun.

“At the end it came down to another incredible battle with Lorenzo and I really had to be on top form, especially because he passed me when I wasn’t expecting it. Luckily I was able to take him back and then I rode a perfect final lap with no mistakes. Everything worked well today, my M1 and my Bridgestone tyres, so thanks and well done to everyone.

“This is my fourth win of the year and I really think that our Yamaha is a fantastic bike this season. I think races like this are great for the sport. Now we have a small advantage in the championship and we’re going straight to Donington, one of my favourite tracks where I really hope I can win after a few bad years without a victory!”

Starting from eighth on the grid, Pedrosa had established his credentials in the dry with the best lap in the morning warm-up. He had another storming start at Sachsenring to move up to the lead group, and put up a bold fight both amongst and behind the Yamaha duo.

Early leader Stoner’s condition lasted longer than he had expected in the dry race, and he was able to mount a serious challenge for the win. With five laps to go, however, he was passed by Pedrosa going into the first turn, and one lap later a sit-up meant that he lost touch with the Spaniard.

"I wasn’t too confident at the start of the race because we were losing ground and my feeling with the bike wasn’t great but it quickly improved so we decided to hit the front as soon as possible – if nothing else just to hold everybody up and stay in there with a shout” said Stoner. “I started to lose the front end a few times so I decided to back off a bit. That allowed Valentino and Jorge to come past, but then as the fuel load lightened the front fell more secure and I was able to pick up the pace again.

“Dani came up with an unbelievable lap that was about half a second quicker than any of his others. After he passed me I tried to push and stay with him but I actually lost the rear at the bottom of the hill and had to let off the brakes, which almost forced me to run into the gravel.

“All in all with the way things have been going lately I’m happy with today’s race because it’s the first time in a while I feel I’ve been really involved and I think if it wasn’t for that problem with the rear I may have been able to dig deep and given Valentino and Jorge something to think about at the end.

“I’m excited about going to Donington now and I want to thank the team for sticking by me over the last few weeks because it hasn’t been fun for any of them."

Alex de Angelis and Toni Elías had a successful salvage operation for the San Carlo Honda Gresini team, placing fifth and sixth, respectively. Elías was particularly impressive, having started from last place.

Vermeulen was still in a huge amount of pain from the hip and shoulder injuries he sustained on Friday. He got a good start, but struggled in the early laps to brake hard enough and was relegated to last place.

He fought back and even after running off the track, he managed to pass one rider on lap 10 and kept up the hunt - recording his fastest lap of the race on lap 27 of 30. Vermeulen fought all the way to the flag and passed Mika Kallio on the very last lap to bring his Suzuki GSV-R home in 13th place.

"It has been a difficult weekend, especially after I didn't get off to the best of starts by crashing in the first practice session,” said Vermeulen. “I gave my body a really hard time this weekend and because of the crash -- and my condition -- we lost some track-time and important set-up time.

“The team did give me a decent bike today, even with the lack of information that we had. I got a good start to the race and I had reasonable speed in the first couple of laps, but I struggled for braking performance and a lot of guys went past me. Then I ran off after I made a mistake and went wide in Turn One and that cost me a lot of time.

“After that is was a pretty boring race, and I was just trying to catch Niccolo Canepa in front of me, but I just didn't quite have the speed to do that. I did get Kallio on the last lap though and managed to get some points from not a good weekend. Hopefully I can get fitter over the next few days and push hard at Donington."

The only retirees from the race were Honda pair Randy de Puniet -- who crashed on the opening lap -- and Andrea Dovizioso.

The latter fell victim to excessive front tyre wear and was forced to call it a day before the end of the 30-lapper.

For full results and standings, click here.

In the fifth round of the Red Bull Rookies Cup, Australian duo Dylan Mavin and Arthur Sissis both crashed in the treacherous conditions.

Mavin picked his KTM up and came home last, while Sissis was the first to fall victim to the wet conditions on lap three and couldn’t remount.

Czech rider Jakub Kornfeil was the winner, by over 11 seconds from South African Matthew Schultz. American Jacob Gagne was third, while Sturla Fagerhaug still remains in the title lead despite finishing way back in 12th. Three rounds remain.

Next up for MotoGP (and the rookies) is the British Grand Prix at Donington this weekend. There will be live coverage on Fox Sports 1 from 9.00pm Sunday.