Jorge Lorenzo finishes with points while Ben Spies disappointed – MotoGP Update
Yamaha Factory Racing rider, Jorge Lorenzo was able to hold on for a fourth place podium finish at the Estoril circuit during the Portuguese Grand Prix on May 1.
Lorenzo has previously won three races from his three pole starts at the Portuguese track. This season he managed not for the win but for a second place finish on the track, which now make it four podiums from four pole-starts for him.
Jorge was able to lead the grid from his pole start without any problem or any real threat. The Spaniard’s M1 was performing very well and held firmly while braking in the corners. He led for about 25 laps without any trouble for traction on exiting bends.
His victory was eclipsed when Dani Pedrosa stepped up to try to over-take for the race win. Pedrosa rode on the tail of his compatriot Lorenzo from the start of the race, with the space of the gap never exceeding a fraction of a second between them. Pedrosa
and his shoulder were tested during the race, as he tried to keep pace with the race leader at the Estoril circuit.
Lorenzo said, “I made a good start and which I was really happy. I then pushed to my maximum to try to open up the gap to Pedrosa. Unfortunately today was not the day for that, he was too strong and consistent and at the end, he was maybe fresher to push.”
The American rider at the Yamaha Factory block, Ben Spies was not able to finish the race after a tool was left on his M1, which compromised his performance and created serious problems for the rider.
Spies said, “I am bitterly disappointed with today. When I noticed the tool hadn’t been removed, I tried to do it myself because it was right in there next to my brake lever. I managed to get it off but then this loose tube was flying around which was pretty
scary. It really messed with my concentration, as I was worried about taking out another rider in one of the corners.”
This error sent Spies into a crash and continued his ‘Did Not Finish’ status from the Spanish round three weeks ago. Spies was left totally disappointed and felt frustrated with the situation, but he is still optimistic for the French Grand Prix at Le Mans.
Honda has shown their dominant position with a gap of just one race, when the Spanish rider passed ahead of Yamaha Factory rider Lorenzo with three laps remaining in the race. Pedrosa’s clean overtaking move ended Lorenzo’s fourth consecutive victory from
his fourth pole position start.
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