Rossi absent as Pedrosa wins MotoGP Italian Grand Prix
After home favourite Valentino Rossi broke his leg in practice for the Italian Grand Prix, Dani Pedrosa stormed to victory in Mugello yesterday ahead of Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso.
Reigning world champion Rossi will be out for around six months as a result of fracturing his right tibia in practice. The Italian had an operation on Saturday. Mugello was the first time in his career he had missed a race.
Honda rider Pedrosa started the race from pole position, with championship leader Lorenzo second on the grid behind him and Australia’s Casey Stoner in third.
Pedrosa got the perfect start heading into turn one, while Lorenzo held off Pedrosa’s teammate Dovizioso for second, while Stoner fell back down the grid. Pedrosa was untouchable for the whole race, and despite having only three career wins from 14 pole positions, the Spaniard yesterday held onto a convincing lead from start to finish.
Fiat Yamaha rider Lorenzo battled with Dovizioso for second spot, but was unable to catch the leader, but still extends his lead in the riders’ world championship to 25 points.
Stoner, the 2007 world champion, who had crashed out in two of the three races so far, finished in fourth place after overtaking Marco Melandri and Randy de Puniet on the final lap.
Pedrosa poled at the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez at the beginning of the season, but finished second to Lorenzo. This time, he didn’t make a mistake.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling to win again. We’ve been working really hard and we had some problems through the winter and in the first races, so I’m really delighted with this victory, especially after leading at Jerez for so long but not quite making it,” said Pedrosa.
The win propelled Pedrosa to second in the riders’ standings. “It looks like we are back near where we need to be and the team deserves the victory. I had a great feeling on the bike, especially at the beginning section of the race and I could open up a gap. It’s important that we are competitive now because we have one weekend off and then three races in a row,” added the 24-year-old.
Lorenzo didn’t have the speed to make it three wins in a row, but he held off Dovizioso to secure second spot and take his fourth podium in four races this season, leading with 90 points.
“Unfortunately my pace today wasn't as good as yesterday [qualifying] and I could only finish second. Something happened and I couldn't ride in the same way but in the circumstances I am happy with my result.
“Dani had a perfect race today. He had an amazing pace and I don't know if I could have beaten him even if I had been as fast as yesterday [qualifying]. To take 90 points from 100 is great and I am leading the championship, so I cannot ask for more. I need to make some improvements to my riding style and Yamaha needs to try to improve the power of the bike a bit so we have some things to work on, but I am confident about the next weeks,” said Lorenzo.
Dovizioso was delighted to finish third at his home grand prix. “It’s so special to be on the podium at Mugello in front of my home crowd because I’ve never made the podium in MotoGP here - I always had to watch it on the TV in the garage. It was a really emotional experience up there with all the fans supporting us,” said the 23-year-old Italian.
The riders showed their support for the injured Rossi, especially his teammate Lorenzo. “It was very strange without Valentino. I am so glad the fans honoured him so well. I wanted to win to dedicate the victory to him but that wasn't possible so all I can do is say get well soon,” said the Spaniard.
However, with Rossi out of the way, Lorenzo’s chances of being crowned world champion this year are looking very good.
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