Tamada wins maiden MotoGP in Rio

Rio de Janeiro:

Japan's Makoto Tamada claimed his maiden MotoGP victory on Sunday after title rivals Sete Gibernau and Valentino Rossi failed to finish in Brazil. Tamada claimed his first podium finish in Rio last year when he finished third and he went one better at the Nelson Piquet circuit this time as he led home a Camel Honda one-two with Max Biaggi finishing second. Tamada also set a new unofficial circuit record with a fastest lap of 1 minute, 49.789 seconds. The second place finish gave Biaggi 20 points, moving him only 13 points behind Rossi and Gibernau in the MotoGP standings. They remain tied in the champions standings with 126 points. (AP)