Lorenzo Scores Superb Sachsenring Podium2014-07-14 08:51Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Jorge Lorenzo returned to form today, scoring an impressive third place in difficult conditions at the Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland. Teammate Valentino Rossi also rode a strong race, pushing up the leader board from twelfth to fourth. Rain twenty minutes before the start of today’s race ensured a hectic start to the German Grand Prix. At first it was declared to be a wet race, but after the sighting lap the majority of the grid returned to the pit lane to swap wet tyres for slicks. Unlike in Assen where the race had been declared ‘delayed’ and two sighting laps given, the ‘wet race’ declaration meant only one sighting lap, resulting in the pit lane exit being closed. This left an almost empty grid with just eight riders present led by Stefan Bradl whilst the rest of the pack jostled in the tight pit lane exit, waiting for the flag to drop. Due to the cramped pit lane exit and cold brakes Lorenzo was forced over to the curb and had to let himself fall back to 16th position to avoid colliding with other riders or getting a penalty. The Spaniard took a few laps to get a feel for the situation, but then ploughed through the order on his way to the front of the field. He fought and passed numerous riders before dispatching Andrea Iannone and Andrea Dovizioso to arrive in seventh place behind Rossi. Lorenzo then took over from his teammate as they passed local rider Stefan Bradl to move in to third and fourth place respectively. With 20 laps to go Lorenzo tried to close down the gap of 5.733 seconds to Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez in front of him, but he was unable to do so, eventually finishing in third place, 10.317 seconds off the front. Rossi also rode an impressive race. As soon as the lights in the pit lane went off the Italian rider confidently took off, overtaking multiple riders as he found his pace. The Doctor shot up the order and arrived at the back of Bradl’s bike on lap nine. The German pole sitter had started well from pole on slicks but with a wet setting on his bike was no match for the Rossi’s full dry set up. He was soon passed and continued his charge with his teammate first behind and then ahead. Unable to match Lorenzo’s pace, Rossi kept his head and finished in a deserved fourth place, 19.194 behind the front man Marquez. With third place Lorenzo gains 16 championship points, leaving him fifth in the standings, just two points behind Andrea Dovizioso in fourth. Rossi scores another 13 points, increasing his total to 141 in third place. The gap to Pedrosa in second is now seven points. MotoGP will be taking a four weeks summer break before continuing the season at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the 10th of August. Jorge Lorenzo 99 Jorge Lorenzo 3rd / +10.317 / 30 laps “I’m satisfied because finally we got another podium. At the last two races I couldn’t do it for some reason. In the practice sessions I went fast on both tracks. I hoped to race in a dry race but in the last moment it started spitting so we went with wet tyres and after that we went into the pitlane for slicks. When I started the race and touched the front carbon brake it wasn’t warm enough to work, so to not touch the other riders I had to go onto the track. I let them pass again because it’s not allowed to make progress this way. The leaders were very strong at the beginning with the intermediate track. They had a gap of six, seven or eight seconds. I just needed one or two tenths to stay with them. Anyway, I had a good race and I did my best. I was very focused and riding very well. If we can gain one or two tenths on the competition we can try to win. Little by little we are coming closer. The bike improved a little with the electronics, the tyres are now working better with the bike and I am much fitter than last year. It makes me stronger, also mentally. I will be going to Spain to spend the holiday with my family and my friends and then come back to Yamaha for some more racing.” Profile Profile 46 Valentino Rossi 4th / +19.194 / 30 laps “The rain was confusing today. Like in Assen we were unlucky with the weather. It rained just after the beginning of the race, but later the track started to dry. We had everybody starting from the pit so it was very difficult and also very dangerous. I was in a quite good position, but I didn’t have enough pace to fight for the podium. I knew that it would be very difficult to beat our rivals here. I hoped to stay with Jorge but today he was faster than us and I arrived fourth. I’m quite happy about the first half of the season. I already got five podiums and four second places. I’m sad that I was not able to win, but I am quite fast and competitive. We have to continue like this and try to beat Marquez.” Profile Profile Valentino Rossi Massimo Meregalli Massimo Meregalli “Another unpredictable race with changing conditions! Jorge proved today that Assen is in the past and his mind is again focused on the podium. He rode a great race. It looks like our competitors were able to get a rhythm earlier than us making it difficult to close the gap on Marquez and Pedrosa. Starting from the pit lane with so many riders wasn't the safest option but it was the only way possible. Valentino was missing a little of the pace he had in morning warm up, but rode well in the changing conditions to complete the top four factory bikes. After nine races, and the last two very complicated ones, we’re all looking forward to a short break before being ready in action again in Indianapolis in a few weeks time.” NOTES The extended imagery from today's Race at the Sachsenring Circuit (Germany) is available on www.yamahamotogp.com. RACE RESULTS 1. Marc Marquez (SPA) Repsol Honda Team 41'47.664 2. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team + 1.466 3. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Movistar Yamaha MotoGP + 10.317 4. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Movistar Yamaha MotoGP + 19.194 5. Andrea Iannone (ITA) Pramac Racing + 23.509 6. Aleix Espargaro (SPA) NGM Mobile Forward Racing + 27.809 7. Pol Espargarò (SPA) Monster Yamaha Tech3 + 33.253 8. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Ducati Team + 33.868 9. Alvaro Bautista (SPA) Go&Fun Honda Gresini + 34.231 10. Cal Crutchlow (GBR) Ducati Team + 34.676 11. Scott Redding (GBR) Go&Fun Honda Gresini + 37.744 12. Hiroshi Aoyama (JPN) Drive M7 Aspar + 45.018 13. Karel Abraham (CZE) Cardion AB Motoracing + 45.177 14. Nicky Hayden (USA) Drive M7 Aspar + 46.676 15. Danilo Petrucci (ITA) Octo Iodaracing Team + 52.769 16. Stefan Bradl (GER) LCR Honda MotoGP + 53.889 17. Yonny Hernandez (COL) Energy T.I. Pramac Racing + 54.476 18. Hector Barbera (SPA) Avintia Racing + 56.215 19. Bradley Smith (GBR) Monster Yamaha Tech3 + 56.293 20. Colin Edwards (USA) NGM Mobile Forward Racing + 1'04.083 21. Brok Parkes (AUS) Paul Bird Motorsport + 1'10.928 22. Mike Di Meglio (FRA) Avintia Racing + 1'19.975 23. Michael Laverty (GBR) Paul Bird Motorsport Not classified (13 laps) CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS Standings 1. Marc Marquez (SPA) Repsol Honda Team 225 2. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team 148 3. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 141 4. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Ducati Team 99 5. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 97 6. Aleix Espargaro (SPA) NGM Mobile Forward Racing Source: Yamaha MotoGP Click here to visit our forums to discuss this story |
Headlines
|