Valentino Rossi extended his lead in the MotoGP riders' standings to 50 points after capitalising on Casey Stoner's misfortune to claim his second successive victory in the Czech Grand Prix at Brno.
Stoner had a 1.5-second lead over Rossi going into the sixth lap, but lost control of his bike and flew into the gravel.
It is the first time the world champion has failed to finish this season, but Rossi believed he could still have won without the Australian's crash.
"I knew today would be very difficult with Casey (Stoner) so strong, and his first lap was impressive," the Fiat Yamaha rider told www.motogp.com.
"I lost a bit of time with John (Hopkins) in the first corner, because he overtook me. This time we had the pace with Stoner, and I was catching up with him. I knew my setting and the tyres were working well."
"I think I could possibly have beaten him in a battle. Unfortunately he crashed, and then I was ahead with an 11-second lead. If he hadn't have crashed then things would have been tougher, for sure."
With Stoner out of contention, the Italian cruised to victory more than 15 seconds ahead of Alice Ducati's Toni Elias, with Rizla Suzuki veteran Loris Capirossi third.
Elias overcame problems on the sighting lap to record his first podium position of the season after starting from 13th on the grid.
The Spanish rider was relieved to finish second after enduring a torrid start to the year, which has left him in 12th place in the overall standings.
"It has been a difficult season until now. The situation changed at Sachsenring with some new parts, which helped me. At Laguna Seca I made a mistake, but I knew that it would be possible to podium here," he said.
"Qualifying was really difficult, and so I started further back on the grid here. I passed many riders and the last seven laps I was comfortable with my pace."
Another rider who made his maiden appearance on the podium this season was Capirossi.
The Italian faced an uphill struggle having started on the third row of the grid but he believes his improved physical conditioning helped his cause.
"I'm really happy. After Barcelona I was not in good enough condition to ride well. After three weeks off in the summer break I am fit," he said.
"This podium is amazing for all the team, not just me. A new season for me starts tomorrow as I'm trying the new bike in the test here."
Japanese rider Shinya Nakano utilised his new factory spec RC212V to finish fourth for San Carlo Honda Gresini, while Australian Anthony West held off a stern challenge from compatriot Chris Vermeulen to finish fifth. James Toseland crossed the line down the field in 13th place.
British teenager Bradley Smith finished sixth in the 125cc race with Scott Redding in 11th.
Cardion AB Grand Prix, Czech Republic
1 Valentino Rossi (Italy) Fiat Yamaha Team, 43:28.841
2 Toni Elias (Spain) Alice Team, + 15.004 secs
3 Loris Capirossi (Italy) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP, + 21.689 secs
4 Shinya Nakano (Japan) San Carlo Honda Gresini, + 25.859 secs
5 Anthony West (Australia) Kawasaki Racing Team, + 29.465 secs
6 Chris Vermeulen (Australia) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP, + 30.608 secs
7 Marco Melandri (Italy) Ducati Marlboro Team, + 36.453 secs
8 Alex De Angelis (San Marino) San Carlo Honda