PARIS, 17 May 2004 — Sete Gibernau powered to his second successive victory this season when he won the French motoGP yesterday to stretch his lead in the world championship standings.
Spain’s Gibernau, on a Honda, beat his compatriot Carlos Checa after the Yamaha rider had made a good start to lead the race through 12 laps.
But Gibernau, who won his home Grand Prix in Jerez two weeks ago, broke clear as Checa made a slight mistake on a tricky curve.
Italian Max Biaggi finished third after nipping past three-times world champion Valentino Rossi in the 13th of the 28 laps.
Rossi, who joined Yamaha from rivals Honda during the close season, desperately tried to overtake his compatriot but missed his best chance two laps from the finish line when both riders were wheel to wheel.
Spain’s Daniel Pedrosa clinched his second win of the season when he won the 250cc race.
In the 125cc class, Italy’s Andrea Dovizioso snatched victory in the final lap to extend his lead in the world championship standings.
