Barros takes a wild one at Assen.

The 75th running of the Dutch TT got underway in dry conditions with but a few damp patches still scattered around the track making things slightly difficult.

Kenny Roberts catapulted out of the blocks from third on the grid to take an early lead over Alex Barros, Tadayuki Okada and polesitter Loris Capirossi. Sadly Kenny's lead was to last but half a lap for as the field came round to negotiate 'De Puniet' corner the back wheel of the Suzuki lost grip and Roberts was thrown high into the air and into the gravel. Although the crash looked horrific, Kenny walked away.

Barros led for three turns until Capirossi, broken bones in his left hand and all, came charging through to lead just before the chicane.

On lap three the dark clouds which had been threatening all day, deposited yet more rain over Assen and the race was stopped as it had previously been declared a dry race. Capoirossi sill led and he would be on pole position for the re-started race which would now be based on aggregate times from both legs.

During the break the rain stopped and the riders were left with an immensely difficult decision over what tyre to use. Some chose full slicks (Carlos Checa), others chose full intermediates (Valentino Rossi) while others had a combination (Capirossi, Barros and Alex Criville).

When the lights went green again it was Sete Gibernau and Regis Laconi who took up the cudgels whilst the time keepers tried frantically to work out who was where on the road. Capirossi led for a few laps but as he dropped down the order on the road, he did likewise overall.

After Barros and Criville had caught and passed both Laconi and Gibernau, they pulled clear of the pack making it a clean fight for the win. It wasn't all that simple however as Criville had to beat Barros by 2.3 seconds on the road to win. That never happened and Barros tailgated the Spaniard home to record just his second ever 500cc victory.

Criville was happy with second especially as Roberts failed to finish while a brave Capirossi came through to take third place overall despite his injury.

Max Biaggi recovered well in the second segment to finish fourth on the road and pip his Yamaha team-mate Checa to that same place in the overall standings. Checa finished third on the road but was unable to utilise his slick tyres to their full potential until late in the race.

Rossi clung on for sixth overall after a great scrap with local hero Jurgen Van De Goorbergh. Van De Goorbergh led the re-started race on the road in the early laps but had to settle for ninth overall behind part two pacesetters Gibernau and Laconi.

Full report and results to follow.

Leading positions 500cc.

1. Alex Barros BRA Honda.
2. Alex Criville SPA Honda.
3. Loris Capirossi ITA Honda.
4. Max Biaggi ITA Yamaha.
5. Carlos Checa SPA Yamaha.
6. Valentino Rossi ITA Honda.
7. Sete Gibernau SPA Honda.
8. Regis Laconi FRA Yamaha.
9. Jurgen vd Goorbergh HOL Honda.
10. Norick Abe JAP Yamaha