Quote:
World champion Valentino Rossi beat Sete Gibernau into second place on a thrilling final lap of the Spanish MotoGP Grand Prix in Jerez.
Gibernau had led for 24 of the 27 laps before a fierce duel between the pair in the closing stages.
Rossi gained then lost the lead, and on the next to last corner the duo's bikes almost touched, forcing home-favourite Gibernau off into the gravel.
Marco Melandri finished in third in a dramatic start to the new season.
Yamaha rider Rossi has an impressive record at Jerez but, despite starting from pole, it looked like he would have to settle for second best this time as Gibernau dominated most of the race.
With two laps to go, Rossi took the lead, but then an uncharacteristic error allowed the Spaniard to retake the lead, to the delight of the home crowd.
Rossi strained as much as he could to regain the lead, and on the penultimate corner the pair drew so close that Gibernau was forced off the track, letting Rossi through to win.
Camel Honda pair Alex Barros and Troy Bayliss came fourth and sixth, either side of Kawasaki rider Shinya Nakano.
Max Biaggi overcame his worst qualifying position - 16th - to finish seventh, but Nicky Hayden endured a day of misery when he crashed out from third place with seven laps to go.
British hopes rested on Shane Byrne and James Ellison, but Byrne was forced to pull out early on and Ellison finished in 16th place.
"I was fastest at the exit of (the penultimate corner) and at the moment of braking I was already at the middle of Sete's bike," said Rossi afterwards.
"He moved to close the line, but I had a small, small gap - maybe half a metre - to overtake and it was the only way.
"It's hard and I know Sete's angry now, but that's racing."
A clearly unhappy Gibernau refused to be drawn on what had happened, other than to say he would not be appealing against the result.
He was more concerned about the state of his shoulder, which has been a problem recently.
"I have had surgery on this shoulder and as I was braking I felt it pop out," he said. "I hope it's OK for Estoril."
"It was a high level race and from whatever I can control I am satisfied. We just need to keep looking forward."
BBCi
Yeah I think you are right 
....when's his luck going to change?
....an unbelievable performance - the way he held him off in the last couple of laps, was fantastic....the Honda is so far superior to the Yamaha, but it still comes home first.