Pedrosa Takes Out German GP

Spaniard Dani Pedrosa got back to winning ways for Honda in Sachsenring on Sunday night when he cruised to victory in the MotoGP category at the German Grand Prix. After starting on pole, Australian championship leader Casey Stoner could manage only fifth position, but increased his lead on nearest rival Valentino Rossi from 21 points to 32 after the Italian seven-time world champion crashed attempting to overtake Frenchman Randy De Puniet on a corner during lap six.

Pedrosa overtook Stoner early in the race and finished over ten seconds ahead of Italy's Loris Capirossi, riding a Ducati, and US Honda rider Nicky Hayden. It ended a barren spell for the Spaniard going back to the British Grand Prix in July 2006. Pedrosa achieved his first victory in China last year after moving up to the MotoGP category but had so far failed to reach the top of the podium this season.

Championship rivals Stoner and Rossi both had poor races with the Australian slumping to fifth after suffering problems with his Bridgestone tyres in the searing heat. Stoner said it was clear the championship was now a three-man race, with Pedrosa looking ominously quick. "Everyone dismissed Dani but as he showed today if everything's working correctly he's very, very fast and very difficult to beat," Stoner said.

"I'm looking forward to (Laguna Seca) as we were really fast over the weekend there last year but things didn't go our way," he added. Rossi was forced to retire for the first time this season after just two weeks ago reigniting his title bid by winning the Dutch Moto GP.