Biaggi wins Pacific GP

Italian Max Biaggi stormed to victory in an incident-filled Pacific Grand Prix on Sunday ahead of MotoGP world championship leader Valentino Rossi.

Japanese rider Makoto Tamada crossed the line third, overtaking Sete Gibernau on the final lap in Motegi, but was later disqualified for bumping the Spaniard.

Biaggi came through a late wobble unscathed to win his second race of the season in 43 minutes, 57.590 seconds. "Two laps from the end I nearly fell," said Biaggi, who started the race from pole position. "I really thought I was going down (when) the bike wobbled...it was a miracle I stayed on. I would like to dedicate this race to Daijiro Kato."

The Japanese rider died from injuries as a result of a horrific crash at the season-opening grand prix in Suzuka.

World champion Rossi preserved his lead in the overall standings with 282 points. Gibernau has 224 points and Biaggi 199 with three races to go.

Biaggi took the lead early in the 24-lap race and was never seriously troubled after a braking error sent compatriot Rossi into the gravel trap on lap seven.

The 24-year-old rejoined the track in ninth place, 8.6 seconds behind Biaggi.

But Rossi, champion in the final season of 500cc in 2001 and the inaugural season on MotoGP last year, steadily worked his way back up the field. He overtook Hayden and Gibernau on the 19th lap to go second but he could not catch Biaggi.

"After a few laps I made a mistake braking," he said. "I went straight on and the situation was very bad with Gibernau in second place and me in ninth. After I recovered I made the fastest lap and got back to the second group. Now I'll arrive in Malaysia with a big advantage."

Following Tamada's disqualification, American Nicky Hayden was moved up to third for his first podium finish and Gibernau took fourth place as Honda, the dominant MotoGP manufacturer, filled the first four places.

"It's not the way I want to move up the tables," said hayden. "I want a proper podium and that's what I'll be working for."

Meanwhile, American John Hopkins was banned from the next round in Malaysia after sweeping Troy Bayliss, Carlos Checa and Colin Edwards into the gravel on the first lap.

Spaniard Toni Elias won his fourth race of the season for Aprilia in the 250cc class. Italian Roberto Rolfo finished second with championship leader Manuel Poggiali of San Marino third.

In the 125cc race, championship leader Daniel Pedrosa started on pole but suffered a technical problem with his front suspension and finished sixth, behind winner Hector Barbera.

Spain's Tony Elias rode to his fourth victory of the season in the 250cc race. Italy's Roberto Rolfo was second and world championship leader Manuel Poggiali of San Marino was third.

In the 125cc race, championship leader Daniel Pedrosa started on pole but suffered a technical problem with his front suspension fork and finished sixth, behind winner Hector Barbera.