The Honda rider Dani Pedrosa gave himself a timely birthday present with a dazzling victory in the Aragon MotoGP race in Spain.
The Spaniard, who turned 27 on Sunday, came home clear of compatriot and overall series leader Jorge Lorenzo of Yamaha, with Andrea Dovizioso third.
Pedrosa, who won his third race in the last four MotoGPs, narrowed the gap on Lorenzo in the overall standings to 33 points with four races to go.
Injured Australian Casey Stoner remains third and is expected to be back on his Honda for the next round in Japan.
