MotoGP - Le Mans- Race resuls

Jorge Lorenzo triumphs in French MotoGP at Le Mans

Lorenzo wins French MotoGP

Jorge Lorenzo extended his lead in the standings to nine points with victory in the French MotoGP at Le Mans.

From second on the grid, he overhauled Valentino Rossi who was runner-up, to win in 44 minutes 29.114 seconds, the first back-to-back win of his career.

Casey Stoner lost ground on Lorenzo after spinning off on the second lap.

In a battle for the final podium place, Andrea Dovizioso passed Dani Pedrosa on the final lap and the Spaniard was later also overtaken by Nicky Hayden.

Reigning champion Rossi made a flying start in the warm sunshine and had the advantage into the first corner.

Lorenzo powered into the lead on lap seven only for Rossi to nip back in front, but the Italian was unable to fight back a second time when Lorenzo went back in front again on lap 10.

With Lorenzo never looking like relinquishing his advantage in the closing stages, he crossed the line 5.672 seconds ahead of Rossi.

The 23-year-old, who has 70 points to Rossi's 61, celebrated his latest win by pulling up a folding chair in front of one of the circuit's big screens and munching a bucket of popcorn.

"Passing Valentino wasn't so easy because he was braking so deep and I had to be very patient, something that I might not have managed one year ago," said the Spaniard after his first back-to-back MotoGP wins.

Lorenzo celebrates French MotoGP win with popcorn

"Finally I overtook him but I didn't expect to be able to get away like that."

Rossi admitted afterwards that he had not expected to be able to hold off his rival.

"I did a great start and I tried to stay in front because I understood from the bike that I didn't have the same pace," he said.

"I knew there was no way to stay in front for 28 laps."

Rossi said his main problem was with the set-up, with his bike lacking grip under acceleration.

It was the first time since 1980 that Japanese manufacturer Yamaha has started the season with three successive wins in the top category.

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MotoGP result (round 3 of 18):

1 J Lorenzo (Spa) Yamaha 44 mins 29.114 secs
2 V Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 44:34.786
3 A Dovizioso (Ita) Honda 44:36.986
4 N Hayden (US) Ducati 44:38.460
5 D Pedrosa (Spa) Honda 44:41.727

MotoGP standings:

1 J Lorenzo (Spa) Yamaha 70 points
2 V Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 61
3 A Dovizioso (Ita) Honda 42
4 D Pedrosa (Spa) Honda 40
5 N Hayden (US) Ducati 39