Responding to the growing threat to his MotoGP crown by Honda Racing’s Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa, Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo won the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello.
The Spaniard took total control of the race as Pedrosa started from pole position and made a good start before running wide on the very first turn of the circuit. Lorenzo took advantage to make a move on the inside. Both riders battled it out from there till the end of the race, but Lorenzo stayed composed to take the win.
The brilliant but brash rookie Marquez battled with Pedrosa, but crashed out for the fourth time in just 3 days. Marquez escaped injuries as Pedrosa secured second place.
Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Crutchlow finished in third place and made the podium for the second time in two weeks, becoming the first British rider since 1987 to take back-to-back podium finishes.
Home hero and Yamaha returnee Valentino Rossi was, however, crashed out on the very first lap.
It was a stark contrast in the way Lorenzo delighted his home crowd when he won the following round at Circuit de Catalunya. The victory was all the sweeter as he left Pedrosa, Marquez and then Rossi trailing in his wake as he crossed the finish line.
Pedrosa started on pole again after smashing the retired former two-time world champion Casey Stoner’s qualifying lap record. A poor start after which he fell behind Lorenzo and then came under threat from Marquez, who had started sixth, meant he was unable to convert pole into a win.
Towards the end of the race there was a close call yet again for the rookie as he almost lost the front end of his bike but managed to regain control and cross the line just six-tenth of a second behind Pedrosa.
Lorenzo had a flawless race and at one point had a one second lead with just 4 laps to go. His performance was a contrast to that of many other riders weren’t so fortunate as the Spanish GP saw eight retirements.
Lorenzo’s 26th career victory now brings him to second place in the championship standings with 116 points. Dani Pedrosa still leads after two consecutive second place finishes with 123 points with Marquez third on 93 points.
The next race will be held at the Assen circuit in the Netherlands.
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