Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo has begun the turn the screws on this year’s MotoGP, dominating the 13th round at Misano.

Lorenzo led home Ducati’s Valentino Rossi and San Carlo Gresini rider Alvaro Bautista.

The start of the race was delayed due to a stalled bike, almost causing an accident as riders launched off the line.

The delay saw Lorenzo’s championship rival Dani Pedrosa suffer a problem and was forced to start from the tail of the field.

He raced his way through the CRT bikes on the opening lap before being collected by Hector Barbera, throwing them both from their bikes.

With just five rounds to go, the title is alive with 38 points now separating teh pair, but the odds are beginning to be stacked against Pedrosa’s title chances.

Andrea Dovizioso finished fourth, narrowly missing out on a podium place after a late challenge to Bautista.

While the crowd enjoyed the late dice between Dovizioso and Bautista, nothing could match the celebrations for Rossi’s second place. The Italian’s celebrations were reminiscent of his winning ways over the past decade. It was Rossi’s first podium in the dry for Ducati.

Ben Spies was fifth ahead of Stefan Bradl and Nicky Hayden, rookie Honda MotoGP rider Jonathan Rea, Randy de Puniet and Michele Pirro rounding out the top 10.

Race results, MotoGP, Misano

Championship points