SHANGHAI - World champion Jorge Lorenzo blew away his rivals at the China Grand Prix on Sunday, winning his third race in four outings this season and extending his lead in the 250cc title race to 27 points.

The Spaniard made a poor start from pole position but his superior pace had him back in the lead by lap seven and he took the chequered flag 3.904 seconds ahead of compatriot and fellow Aprilia rider Alvaro Bautista.

Italian Andrea Dovizioso stormed through from the second row on the grid¹ to take the early lead on his Honda and looked set for second place for the third year in a row in Shanghai until Bautista forced his way past on the final corner.

Lorenzo, who celebrated² his 20th birthday on Friday, has now won nine of the last 15 races going back to last season and has 95 points in the championship to Dovizioso's 68.