Lorenzo provides Spanish delight at Jerez
Jorge Lorenzo delivered a home victory for the Spanish crowd by winning an enthralling MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix on the final lap at Jerez yesterday. Fiat Yamaha driver Lorenzo overtook Honda driver Pedrosa, who was in front for the whole race, on the last lap to snatch the victory and lead the driver’s world championship.
Lorenzo and fellow Spaniard Dani Pedrosa secured a one-two finish to the delight of the fans, with world champion Valentino Rossi coming home in third to complete the final podium position.
Pedrosa got off to a good start from pole position, while six-time Jerez winner Rossi climbed up to second after qualifying in fourth. Rossi, struggling with a shoulder injury sustained in a motocross accident, was not able to challenge Pedrosa, and relinquished second place to his teammate Lorenzo, who was making his way from fifth after dropping from the start of the front row, with six laps to go. The Spaniard mounted the pressure on the leader and dived on the inside of the Honda motorbike after Pedrosa went wide. The 22-year-old Lorenzo took the win, with Pedrosa coming in second to make it a double triumph for Spain. The Ducati’s of Nicky Hayden and Casey Stoner came fourth and fifth.
Clearly overwhelmed by his first victory on home soil, Lorenzo celebrated by jumping into a nearby lake.
“I saw the lake on Thursday and thought it would be funny to jump in and I think the fans liked it, but I didn't really think about how heavy I'd be with wet leathers and for a minute I thought I wasn't going to get out.” said the Spaniard.
Lorenzo is looking to mount a challenge to Rossi after he emerged as his teammate’s rival for the world championship last year.
“It has always been one of my dreams to win a MotoGP race in Spain and this was like a movie, everything that could possibly happen did! This has been an amazing day, I can't believe I've achieved this in front of all the Spanish fans at this magical place. I know it's better to win races calmly, from the front, but lately that hasn't been the way for us and I have had to fight on every lap. I tried to pass Dani a couple of times but he managed to stop me, then I eventually did. Sincere compliments to him because I’ve never seen him so determined,” said Lorenzo.
Rossi was happy to be racing, and despite the injury he managed to salvage a podium place, which leaves him second in the championship.
“I had an injury, and in practice we struggled a lot, so this point is good - I did the best I could. I had a great start and tried to stay with Dani but didn't have enough. I always pushed but I was not at 100% today - and I don't want to create a problem with the Spanish party." said the Italian.
The next race will be in three weeks time at Le Mans, France, on May 23rd.
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