MotoReview

Suzuki's Chris Vermeulen was starting the race in pole as a result of a rain-soaked qualifying session which resulted in a slightly mixed up grid. As the lights went out the Australian got a great start and got through turn one in a comfortable first place. John Hopkins also had an excellent start from fifth and was soon up to third, behind Repsol Honda rider Nicky Hayden.

Vermeulen's lead did not last long though, as Sete Gibernau moved up the order and into first at the end of the first lap. Meanwhile, Valentino Rossi, who qualified in just 11th position, was going nowhere. The world champion was still in 11th after lap one and on lap two he ran wide losing a further three places.

Over the next few laps the podium positions changed constantly. Gibernau slipped down the order and somehow Dani Pedrosa was up to 6th by lap 7 having started from 16th and Marco Melandri was in 4th from 14th. John Hopkins went from being in the thick of things to being nowhere, following a pit stop for a new Bridgestone rear tyre.

With each lap Pedrosa and Melandri got closer to the front and by lap 10 Melandri was in the lead, ahead of Casey Stoner on the LCR Honda. On the 11th lap Valentino Rossi moved ahead of team-mate Colin Edwards and into 8th position.