Rossi wins crash-hit Catalan Grand Prix

BARCELONA, June 18 (Reuters) MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi, riding a Yamaha, won a crash-marred Catalan Grand Prix for the third year in a row today to move back into the title reckoning.

American Nicky Hayden was second on a Honda to take the outright lead in the standings while compatriot Kenny Roberts was third on a KR211V for the team run by his father and namesake.

Honda's Hayden now has 119 points after seven races, 20 ahead of Ducati's Loris Capirossi. Rossi moved up to third place with 90.

The race was halted after one lap when six riders, including Capirossi, collided and fell at the first corner.

Italian Marco Melandri, who was third in the overall standings, was carried on stretcher to a waiting ambulance after being attended by doctors as he lay in the gravel.

A Honda team official said the rider was conscious but neither he nor Capirossi made the re-start.

The win was Rossi's second in a row after his triumph at his home Italian Grand Prix two weeks ago.

Reuters KD RN1938