MotoGP Racing - Sportbike News

MotoGP News - Victory for Lorenzo at Le Mans

May 17, 2009

Jorge Lorenzo claimed the top spot in a race that can only be labeled as "spastic". At grid, the race was declared wet, all riders started out with their rain set-up, knowing that they would be returning to the pits for the dry set-ups before too many laps were completed. The first few laps were a battle among the usual front runners, Lorenzo, Rossi, Pedrosa and Stoner with Dovi nipping at their heels - then the insanity began.

Rossi was one of the first to switch to his dry set-up - it was a flawless transaction - his slicks didn't even see a complete lap before he binned it. Back to the box he went to retrieve the back-up bike which was still fitted for rain. A few laps later, and Rossi was rolling through the pits again, this time to transfer back to his dry set-up which his crew repaired in record time. Unfortunately during one of his box stops, he broke the speed limit in pit lane and was penalized with a ride-through. All the chaos landed him in last place and out of the points.

MARCO MELANDRI took second place after what was undoubtedly the most spectacular showing for him in years. After dumping his pseudo-Saki yesterday during qualifying, bucking him to 9th on the grid, he rallied and pulled off a well deserved second spot on the podium. Outstanding!!! His first podium since 2007 - a near perfect day for Melandri and Hayate Racing.... congratulations guys!!

Casey Stoner ran into some difficulties somewhere along the way and was remanded to 5th. Randy DePuniet finished a disappointing 14th in front of his home crowd, and Nicky Hayden continued his bottom-of-the-boards tradition finishing in 12th. Mika Kallio crashed out.

Jorge Lorenzo displayed perfect execution and came out on top - he definitely earned this one! He is back in the lead for the title and will no doubt give the superstars another run for thier money in Mugello in two weeks.

Until next time....

Rubb'er Down

Kristen