Le Mans MotoGP winner Maverick Vinales was preparing for a last-corner attack from Movistar Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi as the Italian crashed out before he had a chance to try and take the win in France.

A mistake from The Doctor gave Vinales the lead and then, with the finish line in sight, Rossi crashed out as he tried to get close enough to Vinales to park it inside into the final double-right.

“I saw Valentino on the front and I said I had to plan really good for the last sector. In sector one and two I was just behind him and I knew I had to try to overtake. Valentino did a small mistake and I passed, and then I knew I was released on sector three. I was trying to do my best and doing my fastest lap at the end was really nice,” said Vinales, speaking at the track.

“When I saw he made a mistake I braked as late as I can and I took a lot of risks because I went with full pressure on the brakes and leaning a lot, but it was good for me because the bike had good grip on the front.

“I was waiting on the last lap because I knew Valentino didn't want to give up. When I crossed the line I felt so good and I was feeling like my first win in Le Mans in 125 and it was something really special.

“I didn't know that Valentino had crashed until I crossed the line and on the last lap I said OK, on the last corner he is going to try to overtake, so I was preparing myself for the attack. Anyway I was feeling great on the bike and I think I did my best sector three and four on the last lap.”