Reverend
April 13th, 2008, 17:42 PM
Jorge Lorenzo clinched his first Moto GP win with an assured ride in the Portuguese Grand Prix.
The Spaniard, who has been in pole position for all three Grands Prix this season, held off the challenge of compatriot Dani Pedrosa in Estoril. Lorenzo's Yahama team-mate Valentino Rossi claimed the final podium spot, with Colin Edwards taking fourth place.
Britain's James Toseland finished behind defending champion Casey Stoner in seventh position.
Lorenzo, Pedrosa and Rossi had started in the front three places on the grid, with Rossi, who is on the longest winless streak of his career, fastest out of the blocks.
But just before the midway point of the race, the reigning 250cc world champion stole past Rossi and once in the lead, he was never seriously threatened, eventually coming home 1.817 seconds ahead of second-placed Pedrosa.
"I don't believe it, I can't say anything more because today is happiest day of my life," said a clearly emotional Lorenzo after the race.
Speaking of the moment when he passed Rossi to take the lead, he said "I saw it was the moment to pass him and to push hard and try to go away - it happened to perfection."
row and be fifth on the championship now, I believe, it's encouraging.
"It was a bit frustrating that I wasn't further forward but I look forward to going to tracks that I do know and take advantage of the new package we've got."
Portuguese MotoGP race result:
1. J Lorenzo (Sp) Yamaha
2. D Pedrosa (Sp) Honda
3. V Rossi (It) Yamaha
4. C Edwards (US) Yamaha
5. J Hopkins (US) Kawasaki
6. C Stoner (Aus) Ducati
7. J Toseland (GB) Yamaha
8. C Vermeulen (Aus) Suzuki
Championship standings:
1. J Lorenzo (Sp) Yamaha 61 pts
2. D Pedrosa (Sp) Honda 61
3. V Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 47
4. C Stoner (Aus) Ducati 40
5. J Toseland (GB) Yamaha 29
6. L Capirossi (Ita) Suzuki 26
7. J Hopkins (US) Kawasaki 24
8. C Edwards (US) Yamaha 22
BBC Sport (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/7345235.stm)
The Spaniard, who has been in pole position for all three Grands Prix this season, held off the challenge of compatriot Dani Pedrosa in Estoril. Lorenzo's Yahama team-mate Valentino Rossi claimed the final podium spot, with Colin Edwards taking fourth place.
Britain's James Toseland finished behind defending champion Casey Stoner in seventh position.
Lorenzo, Pedrosa and Rossi had started in the front three places on the grid, with Rossi, who is on the longest winless streak of his career, fastest out of the blocks.
But just before the midway point of the race, the reigning 250cc world champion stole past Rossi and once in the lead, he was never seriously threatened, eventually coming home 1.817 seconds ahead of second-placed Pedrosa.
"I don't believe it, I can't say anything more because today is happiest day of my life," said a clearly emotional Lorenzo after the race.
Speaking of the moment when he passed Rossi to take the lead, he said "I saw it was the moment to pass him and to push hard and try to go away - it happened to perfection."
row and be fifth on the championship now, I believe, it's encouraging.
"It was a bit frustrating that I wasn't further forward but I look forward to going to tracks that I do know and take advantage of the new package we've got."
Portuguese MotoGP race result:
1. J Lorenzo (Sp) Yamaha
2. D Pedrosa (Sp) Honda
3. V Rossi (It) Yamaha
4. C Edwards (US) Yamaha
5. J Hopkins (US) Kawasaki
6. C Stoner (Aus) Ducati
7. J Toseland (GB) Yamaha
8. C Vermeulen (Aus) Suzuki
Championship standings:
1. J Lorenzo (Sp) Yamaha 61 pts
2. D Pedrosa (Sp) Honda 61
3. V Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 47
4. C Stoner (Aus) Ducati 40
5. J Toseland (GB) Yamaha 29
6. L Capirossi (Ita) Suzuki 26
7. J Hopkins (US) Kawasaki 24
8. C Edwards (US) Yamaha 22
BBC Sport (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/7345235.stm)