MotoGP: Rossi hails 'perfect weekend' in Jerez

Valentino Rossi enjoyed the "perfect weekend" in Jerez as he claimed his first win of the season ahead of Jorge Lorenzo and Marc Marquez.

Pole-sitter Rossi dominated throughout on his Movistar Yamaha, holding off his team-mate Lorenzo early on before cruising to his 113th career victory and 87th in MotoGP.

For the first time in his career the Italian led every single lap of a race, and the 25 points move him closer to his two rivals in the riders' standings.

"I think that this was the perfect weekend," he said. "We started to go faster from Friday morning and we worked very well.

"The bike, in the race, was fantastic and we worked very well with the team so I have to say 'thank you' to the whole Movistar Yamaha MotoGP team, especially my crew.

"I had a good pace and a good start and felt good with the bike from the beginning, so I could push. Sincerely, it was a special taste to have a win like this, so thanks a lot!"

Meanwhile, Lorenzo – in his first race since announcing his move to Ducati next season – rued wheel spin midway through the race which forced him to back off slightly.

He said: "We could have won the race without the problem on the front-straight. Going through the gears the bike didn't stop spinning and I couldn't fully open the throttle.

"Just when I started recovering metres on Rossi this problem started, so I had to slow down a lot and I didn't have the chance to fight with him for the victory, but sometimes this happens."