Spaniard Dani Pedrosa has won his home MotoGP race in Jerez with a lights-to-flag victory.

The teeny former 250 champ blasted into the lead on his Honda at the start and edged four seconds on pole-sitter Jorge Lorenzo and a charging Valentino Rossi on their Yamahas. Rossi eventually overcame his rookie team-mate to take second.

The way Rossi celebrated his second place you'd have thought he won the race. Rossi's switch to Bridgestone tyres from Michelin caused a few confused looks in the MotoGP paddock, but second at Jerez - considered to be a bogey track for Bridgestone - bodes well for the Italian.

Reigning MotoGP champion and winner of the opening race Casey Stoner looked distraught after the Jerez race. Struggling for pace all weekend, the Aussie ran into the gravel twice on the way to a disappointing 11th.

Brit James Toseland dragged his Yamaha to sixth place, despite a serious case of bronchitis.

Jerez MotoGP 2008 result: