Spanish defending world champion Jorge Lorenzo eased to victory in the Italian MotoGP on Sunday for his third successive win in the race.

The 26-year-old – also world champion in 2010 – brought home his Yamaha well clear of world championship leader Dani Pedrosa on a Honda, while British rider Cal Crutchlow recorded his second successive podium place, finishing third on a Yamaha Tech3.

There was huge disappointment for the Italian fans as hero Valentino Rossi crashed out on the first lap on his Yamaha after Alvaro Bautista collided with him.

Pedrosa still leads the world title race with 103 points, with Lorenzo 12 points adrift.