Riding the Fiat Yamaha, Rossi made the telling move on his Australian rival just into the second half of the race. He then powered two seconds clear to secure his 70th victory in the top flight and collect the premier trophy for the sixth time, taking his world title tally to eight.

He said: “It’s a great victory and a great achievement.”

Rossi, 29, ended a two-year run – the longest in his career – without championship success and added: “This is the hardest I have ever had to work to win a world championship.

“It was a fantastic feeling to take the title with a win. The race was a great battle. Now I have to get used to being world champion again.

Shane Byrne won the British Superbikes crown for the second time in five years with a third at Silverstone.