Italy’s Melandri wins rain-hit Australian Moto Grand Prix

PHILLIP ISLAND – Italy’s Marco Melandri won a rain-hit Australian MotoGP Grand Prix at Phillip Island yesterday.

The Honda rider won the 26-lap race in a time of 44 minutes 15.62, 9.69 seconds ahead of Australia’s Chris Vermeulen with world champion Valentino Rossi grabbing a dramatic third at the final corner. Spain’s Sete Gibernau was fourth.Rossi, chasing a sixth successive victory at the circuit, closed the gap in the title race on Nicky Hayden with the American world championship leader finishing fifth.Spain’s Dani Pedrosa, second in the standings before the race, came 15th.Nampa-ReutersSpain’s Sete Gibernau was fourth.Rossi, chasing a sixth successive victory at the circuit, closed the gap in the title race on Nicky Hayden with the American world championship leader finishing fifth.Spain’s Dani Pedrosa, second in the standings before the race, came 15th.Nampa-Reuters