"MotoGP >>Rossi extends MotoGP title lead."

Valentino Rossi can not challenge Casey Stoner at Donington Park, but Dani Pedrosa Beats expand MotoGP World Championship lead.

Valentino Rossi fought a battle focused British Grand Prix on Sunday, as the Italian - can not pose a threat to the runaway winner Casey Stoner - instead concentrated all its efforts on defeating the closest title rival Dani Pedrosa.

Riding in his 200th Grand Prix, Rossi found himself under pressure from Pedrosa of half of the 30 laps.

Pedrosa exceeded twice the Fiat Yamaha rider Rossi and received twice back to the past - during the final phase - was able to create a safe cushion of the Spanish, crossing the line just under six seconds behind Stoner and by 2558 ahead of Pedrosa.

Rossi won four points to Pedrosa well and is now 11 points in the classification, with Stoner still 45 points at the top.

"I'm very happy about this result, although obviously would have preferred to have been fighting with Stoner for victory!" Rossi said. "I had a good start and today I tried to stay with Casey, but in some corners he was faster than me and it is impossible to keep up with his pace as the race was on.

"I knew that second place is important because of the points so I had to win my fight with Pedrosa in the middle of the race!" recalled. "Fortunately we took second and now I have extended my lead from four points, which is very important for our championship.

"We're leading the championship, but Stoner showed her potential today so I think that this difficult battle between us will continue the race by race. I am glad that only a few days at Assen and I am anxious to do better there , "Vale said.

"We're not quite halfway championship yet - one week - but we are very happy with our season so far and the important thing is that we are leading the championship," added team director Davide Brivio. "We have no time to rest before Assen, but we will go there with the goal of returning to the top step of the podium."

Rossi's team-mate Jorge Lorenzo put his recent injury on Saturday and the poor qualifying behind him to come across the 17 in the network to take sixth place.