Motorbike Insurance

Honda rider Marco Melandri took the chequered flag in the Valencia Grand Prix.

His win denied Yamaha's Valentino Rossi a world record equalling 12 victories in a single MotoGP season.

Rossi's grid position of 15th was his worst of the season and while he tore through the field Melandri and Nicky Hayden went off the front, the Italian leading from start to finish.

Motorbike Insurance - Get a fantastic quote now!

The victory gives Melandri back-to-back MotoGP triumphs following his maiden win in Turkey. It also secures him second place in the final championship standings, behind Rossi, but ahead of Honda team mate Hayden.

"It has been a perfect weekend for me. Not only have we sealed the runner-up spot in the championship but we did it with my second consecutive win," explained a delighted Melandri after the race.

"I knew Nicky was very close so I focused on maintaining my rhythm without taking too many risks. There was a point where I thought about letting him past but I was worried that I might find it too difficult to get back in front," he said, before describing the win as a dream come true.

According to Rossi, his crash in Saturday's qualifying session ended his chances of victory. Going into the race he was one win short of Mick Doohan's record of 12 victories in a MotoGP season.