MotoGP: Lorenzo puts Pedrosa in his place to stretch lead

Jorge Lorenzo on his way to victory in Italy yesterday

Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo easily won the Italian MotoGP at Mugello yesterday, stretching his advantage at the top of the riders' championship. Spaniard Lorenzo took the lead from compatriot Dani Pedrosa on the second corner and never relinquished it, finishing over five seconds ahead and grabbing his fifth win in nine races this season.

"All weekend I've ridden well and clean," Lorenzo said. "It was a tough race. I didn't think I would be able to get away; Pedrosa was always close but in the end I managed it and I rode much calmer. I'm happy to have the points on the board."

The 2010 champion is now on 185 points, 19 ahead of Honda's Pedrosa. The pair dominated with Pedrosa himself finishing five seconds ahead of third-placed Italian Andrea Dovizioso, who was involved in an enthralling battle for a place on the podium.

Dovizioso beat Stefan Bradl, Valentino Rossi, Cal Crutchlow and Nicky Hayden, who all finished within two seconds of each other. Casey Stoner, who was third in the championship before the race, finished eighth after running off the track with 13 laps to go. He raised eyebrows with some extremely aggressive riding in his efforts to make up the lost time.

Britons Bradley Smith and Scott Redding had to settle for fourth and sixth respectively in the Moto2 race, which was won by the Italian Andrea Iannone. Spain's Maverick Vinales won Moto3 with Danny Kent coming fifth.