Rossi wins Chinese MotoGP

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SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Seven-times world champion Valentino Rossi clinched his first victory of the 2008 MotoGP season by edging out Spaniard Dani Pedrosa to win the Chinese Grand Prix in wet conditions on Sunday.

The Italian, who qualified second fastest, took control of the race early, overtaking Pedrosa on the fourth lap and holding on to win in 44 minutes 8.061 seconds.

Pedrosa, on a Honda, finished second 3.89 seconds behind Rossi with Australian world champion Casey Stoner third.

Fellow Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo, who qualified fourth on his Yamaha despite suffering a fractured left ankle, came fourth.

Pedrosa's second place put him top of the world championship standings, ahead of Lorenzo, Rossi and Stoner.

Italy's Andrea Iannone on an Aprilia won the 125cc race with a time of 46 minutes 2.275 seconds, more than three seconds faster that France's Mike Di Meglio on 46 minutes 5.630 seconds.

Finland's Mikko Kallio riding a KTM won the 250cc category in 48 minutes 12.217 seconds ahead of Japan's Hiroshi Aoyama.

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