MotoGP Hayden records Dutch win

Nicky Hayden claimed victory in the Dutch MotoGP when American Colin Edwards crashed on the final corner at Assen.

Edwards, on a Yamaha, had led for most of the race but was passed by championship leader Hayden late on, Edwards retook the lead but, with the finish line in sight, lost control of his bike at the final chicane, handing victory to Honda's Hayden.

Shinya Nakano came in second, Dani Pedrosa third and World Champion Valentino Rossi eighth, riding with an injury.

Rossi, who raced despite struggling with a broken bone in his hand, started from 18th spot on the grid but battled his way through the field, the Yamaha rider picked up the injury on Thursday and only made the decision to race after final practice.

"That was a really hard race for me," Rossi said. "I was in some pain especially at the start and I wasn't able to ride at 100% of my ability."

The result was heartbreaking for Edwards, who had set the pace for most of the race, Hayden tracked him in the closing laps and grabbed the lead on the penultimate lap only to lose it again soon after.

Edwards looked as if he would claim his first win of the season, but ran onyo the grass on the final chicane and lost his back wheel and was sent flying, giving Hayden, who had over-shot the last corner, a simple finish. Edwards picked up his battered bike and pushed it over the line to finish in 13th place.

Hayden, now leads the championship by 42 points from Honda's Pedrosa.

Said Hayden. "Everyone was telling me be careful, be careful, just get a few points but the bike was too good and I had to go for the win.

"Colin was really so smooth, so fast out there that I didn't know if I had anything for him. I just couldn't really get close enough and I knew I needed to try and do something different.

"I changed something on one section of the track that made all the difference in the world and the last few laps I was able to close down on him and get the win."

Brit James Ellison crashed out on lap four after moving up to 12th, revealing later that he may have broken a bone in his foot, "It definitely feels broken," he said. "I need to get it checked out. I can feel things moving around.