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MotoGP riders Dani Pedrosa and Valentino Rossi have cut Nicky Hayden's lead at the top of the table by finishing first and second respectively at the British GP.

Starting the race at Donington 42 points behind Repsol Honda team mate Hayden, Pedrosa began by shaking off Marco Melandri's challenge for first place and taking a strong lead that was not relinquished, leaving him now just 26 points off the top.

Just less than four seconds behind him was Rossi, who had been beset by troubles with his bike as well as injuries from a fall just before the Assen race, but who also resisted the challenge of Melandri to finish second and is now only 35 points behind Hayden.

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The UK-based Italian said afterwards: "I am in a better position as far as the points are concerned and that is more important than winning the race.

"To be honest after Assen I wasn't sure if it would be possible to fight for a top result here but I wanted it so much because Donington is a very special place to me and the fans give me such incredible support every year."

Rossi claimed that the bike was more of a concern to him than his injured wrist, having only qualified for the race in 12th place and he admitted that he had not felt fully comfortable until after the first eight laps.

Surprisingly Hayden, whose place at the top has been secured through consistent podium finishes, only managed to finish seventh this time around, after coming off the track briefly on the seventh lap.

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