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Classic Rossi victory at Assen
30 June 2007 / PhotosValentino Rossi romped to victory at the Dutch Grand Prix during this afternoon's 26-lap race around the TT circuit at Assen. The Italian finally found a way past title rival Casey Stoner three laps before the end of the race having charged up the order from 11th on the grid. Rossi's victory takes five points out of Stoner's championship lead. Nicky Hayden completed the podium for Repsol Honda.
Dani Pedrosa was fourth on the second Repsol Honda ahead of John Hopkins' Rizla Suzuki and Colin Edwards on the second Fiat Yamaha rounded off the top six.
Casey Stoner got off to a great start and comfortably pulled away from pole-sitter Chris Vermeulen to take the lead. John Hopkins also got past his teammate Vermeulen as Nicky Hayden muscled into fourth place with his teammate Dani Pedrosa backing him up in fifth. Hayden managed to pick off Vermeulen to split the two Rizla Suzukis up on lap four whilst Stoner and Hopkins started to pull away. Pedrosa then pounced on Vermeulen too as it looked like the Australian was struggling to stay on the pace.
After a slow start, Valentino Rossi was upto fifth by lap six, having started down in 11th. The Italian was breathing down Pedrosa's neck and had no trouble sliding past both him and his teammate Hayden on lap seven. Rossi was then the fastest man on the circuit with a clear track ahead of him and 19 laps to close a three second gap to leader Stoner. Rossi made easy work of Hopkins on lap ten and started to creep up on title rival Stoner.
Meanwhile on lap 12, Randy de Puniet was on a charge but it stopped when he came up behind Vermeulen, who refused to budge as the Kawasaki rider tried to pass and the two tangled with Vermeulen dropping down the order to 16th and a disgruntled de Puniet having to retire. Having been passed by Rossi, Hopkins dropped further down the order as he fell victim to the two Repsol Hondas who were now fighting for third place. With three laps to go, Rossi finally got past the impervious Stoner at the chicane preceding the main street after the Aussie had put on a fine display of defensive riding for many laps. However, it was not enough to put off the possessed Rossi and now the result means that the championship gap closes to 21 points.
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