Italy's Dovizioso wins Valencia MotoGP

Andrea Dovizioso of Italy (Ducati) won the season-ending Valencia MotoGP, which was split over two sessions due to rainy weather that caused several falls.

Spain's Alex Rins (Suzuki) on Sunday had the lead before the race was stopped midway through because of the wet track conditions, but the race belonged to Dovizioso after it resumed, reports Efe news.

The Italian rider earned his fourth victory this season with a time of 24 minutes and 3.408 seconds, and had already clinched second place in the MotoGP championship.

Rins finished second, 2.75 seconds off the pace, while his countryman Pol Espargaro (Red Bull) completed the podium.

MotoGP champion Marc Marquez of Spain (Honda) could not finish the race after suffering a fall in the first half, but had secured his fifth title in six years at the Japanese MotoGP in October.

A crash in qualifying on Saturday reportedly dislocated Marquez's shoulder for the second time this season.

Spanish rider Maverick Viñales (Yamaha) crashed out as well, despite starting the race from pole position.

--IANS

gau/mr