Rossi beats Sete with seven-year-old move.

Anybody who thought that Valentino Rossi was in crisis after four races without a win was silenced yesterday in a classic Czech Republic Grand Prix, which will be remembered for many years by the 44,865 Brno fans.

After 22 laps of heart-stopping racing, and a thrilling four-way scrap for victory, Rossi turned on the style on his final circulation - setting a new all-time lap record whilst performing a breathtaking overtaking manoeuvre on Sete Gibernau to snatch victory by just 0.042 seconds at the fall of the chequered flag.

Rossi beats Sete with seven-year-old move.

Anybody who thought that Valentino Rossi was in crisis after four races without a win was silenced yesterday in a classic Czech Republic Grand Prix, which will be remembered for many years by the 44,865 Brno fans.

After 22 laps of heart-stopping racing, and a thrilling four-way scrap for victory, Rossi turned on the style on his final circulation - setting a new all-time lap record whilst performing a breathtaking overtaking manoeuvre on Sete Gibernau to snatch victory by just 0.042 seconds at the fall of the chequered flag.

Rossi's heart stopping lunge was a carbon copy of the move he pulled on Jorge Martinez - in exactly the same corner - in the 125cc GP some seven years ago. Then he went on to take his first ever victory, and the Italian admitted the feeling after Sunday's race was almost as special.

"That pass on Martinez went through my mind as I went for Sete, and this victory is like the same sensation," said Rossi, who in one of the most bizarre post race celebrations - even by his standards - dressed up as a prisoner (complete with ball and chain) and began beating a rock with a pick axe - a response to recent criticism in the Italian press.

"I think today, for me and for everybody, is one of the best races of the year," Vale beamed. "We were fighting without tactics and without thinking - giving 100 percent and wanting to be at the front. I had a lot of fun on the bike.

"I lost the race in Germany with bad tactics and did not want a repeat. On the last lap I ran wide and lost half a second but then Sete made a mistake and I could take some ground," he explained. "I attacked around the back of the circuit and although Sete tried to come back I could hold on for the win - this is like a dream!"

Rossi's victory was his 54th career Grand Prix win - one which sees him equal Mick Doohan's record and puts him fourth equal in the 'most GP wins ever' category behind Giacomo Agostini (122), Angel Nieto (90), and Mike Hailwood (76).

The Italian also now leads the world championship by 34 points with six rounds remaining.

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