Five in a row for Rossi

The Italian Honda rider Valentino Rossi made it five wins in a row and extended his championship lead when he won the Dutch 500cc Grand Prix at Assen.

After a hard-fought duel with Rossi, Alex Barros of Brazil finished second, also on a Honda. The Spaniard Carlos Checa was third on a Yamaha despite missing a chicane after touching with Tohru Ukawa.

Italy's Aprilia rider Marco Melandri took the championship lead in the 250cc class with his third victory in a row. The Spaniard Toni Elias finished second on his Aprilia for his first-ever 250cc podium.

The Spanish youngster Daniel Pedrosa won his first Grand Prix in the 125cc race, ahead of the reigning world champion and current championship leader, Manuel Poggiali of San Marino.