Rossi takes 100th GP win at Assen

Yamaha's Valentino Rossi won his 100th grand prix and became the undisputed leader of the MotoGP World Championship with a stellar performance at Assen on June 27.

Rossi was peerless performance from pole position and, unlike two weeks previous in Barcelona, needed no 'Hail Mary' last lap at the cathedral of motorcycle racing.

"This is a very emotional moment and for sure I will remember this 100th victory for the rest of my life," said Rossi. "When I reached 70 (GP wins), 100 seemed a long way away but here I am and it has been great, great fun getting here.

"It is down to so many people, like (his Australian engineer) Jeremy (Burgess) and my guys who have been with me for 10 years and all of the team who always give 100 percent and always give me the best bike possible.

"It's great to reach this moment here at Assen because it's the 'Cathedral' of motorcycle racing and the most historic track we go to.

"Today was a perfect race - I got a great start and my bike was incredible which meant that my pace was very strong. In fact I think it was better for everyone's hearts not to have another last-lap battle like in Barcelona!

"Now I have 100 wins and I'm only the second rider to arrive at this number, but Agostini still has 22 more and for me he is still the greatest."

Rossi's teammate Jorge Lorenzo was once again forced to settle for second place. The Spaniard got off to a bad start from third on the grid and, although he was able to fight back up to the front, could not provide Rossi with the same challenge that he had done last time out.

Australia's Casey Stoner, still feeling unwell, completed the podium with a solitary ride chasing Lorenzo. The Australian now trails Rossi and his Spanish rival in the overall standings after the trio had been level on points heading in to the Assen race.

"I've been feeling fine all week but started to feel run down again on Friday and I've just got worse as the weekend has gone on," said Stoner. "I've taken every kind of supplement and vitamin tablet you can think of but nothing seems to have worked, so it is obviously something we need to have looked at closer because I can't keep going like this and it is costing us points.

"Thankfully I had a fantastic bike underneath me again today and I owe the team for that. Unfortunately I don't have much time to get fit for Laguna but we'll see what we can do."

Colin Edwards (Yamaha) equaled his best result of the year with fourth place, at the head of an enthralling battle between the 'best of the rest'. Queensland's Chris Vermeulen (Suzuki) and James Toseland (Yamaha) were also in the top six with their best finishes of the season to date.

Honda factory riders Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso had been in with a shout at the rostrum, but both took tumbles before the race took its full shape. There was also a late fall for Mika Kallio (Ducati) when the Finn was challenging for sixth on the final lap.

Toni Elías Honda) was penalised 20 seconds for using the run-off area illegally on the final lap.

The next round will be held at Laguna Seca in America next weekend.

For full results and standings, click here.

In round four of Red Bull Rookies, 14-year-old Arthur Sissis was the best placed Aussie in eighth, in a race won by Sturla Fagerbaug from Daijiro Hiura and Jacob Gagne.

Dylan Mavin was the last rider home in 23rd, with the third Aussie, Josh Hook, failing to finish.