He was unable to make much more of an impression until the predicted late shower of rain arrived with about five laps to go.

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But with five laps to go Lorenzo pushed so hard when overtaking that he only just managed to stay on the bike, running very wide and allowing his team-mate Rossi to stay in second.

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Brazilian Barrichello then lost the final podium position to Jarno Trulli after being given a drive-through penalty for speeding in the pit lane, only for the Italian to retire with five laps to go and promote Coulthard.

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Rossi then made a move at the same corner with five laps to go and Lorenzo buckled under the pressure to crash out and leave Rossi to streak away to a 102nd career victory, some 11.766 seconds ahead of Spaniard Pedrosa.

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