Kenny Roberts Jr: World Champion.

Valentino Rossi won the Rio Grand Prix but it was not enough to deprive Kenny Roberts Jr. of the 500cc World Championship.

Roberts makes history by becoming the first son of a former 500cc Champion to win the title himself, his father "King" Kenny Roberts won 500cc World Titles back to back in 1978, 1979 and 1980.

Roberts, visibly relieved after crossing the line, did just enough to secure the championship by finishing in sixth position - the minimum he needed should Rossi win. In the final stages of the race he had found himself having to defend his position from Sete Gibernau and Regis Laconi, but held on to wrap up the title with two rounds remaining.

Pole sitter Max Biaggi slipped back to fifth, while local hero Alex Barros pushed Rossi all the way to the finish ending up less than a second behind.

Full results and reaction to follow...

1. Valention Rossi - Winner.
2. Alex Barros +0.970secs
3. Gary McCoy +3.446secs
4. Norick Abe +3.568secs
5. Max Biaggi +3.709secs
6. Kenny Roberts Jr. +7.778secs
7. Sete Gibernau +8.260secs
8. Regis Laconi +8.518secs
9. Tadayuki Okada +17.506secs
10. Jurgen vd Goorbergh +23.254secs
11. Alex Criville +28.802secs
12. Nobuatsu Aoki +34.134secs
13. Tetsuya Harada +54.359secs
14. Mark Willis +63.182secs
15. Carlos Checa +63.506secs