Valentino Rossi strengthened his world championship lead on Saturday by coming out on top in a thrilling battle with Marc Marquez to win the Dutch MotoGP at Assen.

The Italian started his Yamaha from pole and led almost all the way, although reigning world champion Marquez did briefly overtake seven laps from the end.

Rossi quickly regained the lead and then held off one last desperate push on the final corner by the Spanish Honda rider, to claim his third win of the season and the 111th victory of his illustrious career.

Jorge Lorenzo, Rossi’s teammate and main rival in the world championship, was third.

Rossi’s victory was his seventh at elite level at Assen, surpassing the record shared with his legendary compatriot Giacomo Agostini.