Fiat Yamaha Team's Valentino Rossi (Photo: Yamaha Racing) » More Photos

Stoner, Pedrosa, and Rossi had staged a breathtaking battle in the opening laps, the trio swapping places with tight moves up to three times per lap. But Rossi had a three-second gap when mid-race rain on the front stretch briefly made turn one a 110mph skating rink.

However there was not enough rain for riders to stop for a bike swap as Rossi controlled the pace while teammate Lorenzo made a bold late race charge for second place.

"When it started to rain a little bit I thought 'oh no!' and so I steadied myself and tried to ride very sweetly through the corners. I didn't want to have to change bikes," Rossi said.

Lorenzo raced with cracked bones in both ankles and was 11th on lap one and claimed his second place was like a victory, a triumph of mind over matter.

"In these moments there is always a fight between two minds," Lorenzo said. "Your first mind says only to ride to finish with some points while the second mind says it is possible to fight for something else so this result is a dream, like a victory," Lorenzo said.

Despite his podium, Edwards was subdued after the race.

"I honestly thought this was my day after the pace I had all weekend and I really thought I could have had my first win," Edwards said. "I'll settle for third; it was a tough race. I followed Casey and Dani early and I tried everything but they didn't make any mistakes and then Valentino came by like a cowboy with all guns shooting and I knew he was going to push hard."

After a strong start Pedrosa put his fourth place down to front tire issues early in the race and later a lack of rear grip as the track cooled with the rain showers.

"I tried to go with Lorenzo when he passed me but couldn't do it. I gave my maximum but I wasn't able to go as fast as I did in practice."

Honda's Nicky Hayden finished eighth after losing three places with an off track excursion on lap 14 that cost him three positions.

"It wasn't pretty, we missed something and the pace wasn't there all weekend," Hayden said.

John Hopkins retired his Kawasaki from ninth place when the chain snapped on lap 13 but had also struggled with acceleration off the turns.

"It's no fun holding off someone like Lorenzo for a whole lap only to see him motor past as soon as you get onto the straight," Hopkins said.

Rossi leads the championship 97 points with Lorenzo and Pedrosa equal second on 94 while Stoner is still fourth although now 41 points adrift of Rossi after his mechanical problems here.