Jorge Lorenzo topped off an incredible opening month in MotoGP with his maiden premier class victory today, his first ever career win at Estoril. After three pole positions and two podiums, the Fiat Yamaha Team rookie went one step further to win the Portuguese Grand Prix in fine style, taking joint first in the championship standings in the process. It was also the second double podium of the season for the team, with Valentino Rossi finishing third.
The first lap was a close battle between Lorenzo, Rossi and Dani Pedrosa with Lorenzo just prevailing over the line. Rossi however then passed him into turn one and pushed on ahead, leaving his team-mate to defend second position from Pedrosa, who was right on his tail. It began to spot with rain but Lorenzo kept his head and kept in touch with Rossi, despite pressure from Pedrosa behind him. On lap 11 Pedrosa ma de it past Lorenzo and stayed in front of him for two laps, but the Mallorcan was clearly cruising and, after setting the fastest lap of the race so far on lap 12, the Michelin-shod rider passed Pedrosa into turn one and set off after Rossi. He made his move later that lap in typically flamboyant fashion with a bold pass at the chicane and from then on it was a one-man-show as he extended his lead and eventually crossed the line 1.817 seconds in front of Pedrosa, who had passed Rossi on lap 15.
At just 20 years of age, Lorenzo’s victory today makes him the youngest rider in premier-class history to take three successive podiums and he now shares the championship lead with Dani Pedrosa on 61 points. Rossi consolidates third with 47 points whilst Fiat Yamaha top the Team’s table and Yamaha the Constructor’s.
Jorge Lorenzo - Position: 1st Time: 45'53.089“I feel like I’m in heaven! First of all I have to say thank you to Yamaha and to Fiat because without their confidence in me I wouldn’t be here now. I can’t believe it and it’s really impossible for me to describe my feelings, I’m so happy for everyone! My team did a fantastic job and my Yamaha and my Michelin tyres worked very, very well today. The start of the race was quite crazy because there were some drops of rain and it looked like it might get worse. Anyway I just carried on and really I can’t remember the details of exactly what happened…I remember making my pass on Valentino; I know it was quite a risk so I’m sorry to him but at that point I felt that I could make it and get away from him, so I took the chance and it worked. I’m so proud of everyone, to be here afte r just three races and at the top of the championship as well is something that I could never have even dreamt of. We can’t afford to relax now however because Pedrosa and Rossi are here as well and they are two very fast and clever riders. I had some pain again in my arms today so tonight we will make a decision about whether or not I will have the operation before China, but for now I’m just going to enjoy this moment!”
Daniele Romagnoli - Team Manager“This is a dream come true for all of us; Jorge rode an unbelievable race. Watching him fight with the others it was impossible to believe that it is only his third race and now here he is, already a winner! Thanks to the team because they did a fantastic job to set the bike up and Yamaha and Michelin together gave us a fantastic package to work with. We had planned a test tomorrow but this will depend on the decision about Jorge’s operation. There are three weeks until the next race so there is plenty of time for him to recover if he chooses to go ahead with it. Now we’re looking forward to another exciting weekend with Jorge in China!”
Masahiko Nakajima - Team Director“Very impressive! This weekend Jorge has been very consistent and to get a third pole position and then go on to win is fantastic. He showed a strong drive in the race and proved that he can keep his concentration at the maximum for the entire race. I want to congratulate him for a great achievement and thank him on behalf of everyone at Yamaha. I hope he can continue to build on this and have a great season.”
Ambient temperature: 18 degrees
Track temperature: 21 degrees
Humidity: 53%
Results:
1. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Fiat Yamaha Team 45'53.0892. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda + 1.817
3. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team + 12.723
4. Colin Edwards (USA) Tech 3 Yamaha + 17.223
5. John Hopkins (USA) Kawasaki Racing + 23.752
6. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro + 26.688
7. James Toseland (GBR) Tech 3 Yamaha + 32.631
8. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki + 36.382
9. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP + 38.268
10. Shinya Nakano (JPN) San Carlo Honda Gresini + 39.476
11. Alex De Angelis (RSM) San Carlo Honda Gresini + 1'01.306
12. Toni Elias (SPA) Alice Team + 1'03.867
13. Marco Melandri (ITA) Ducati Marlboro + 1'09.525
14. Sylvain Guintoli (FRA) Alice Team + 1'09.634
15. Randy De Puniet (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP + 1'11.542
16. Anthony West (AUS) Kawasaki Racing + 1'23.629
Not Classified: Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda 12 Lap
Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) JiR Team Scot MotoGP 13 Lap
Championship Standings:
1. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Fiat Yamaha Team 612. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda 61
3. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team 47
4. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro 40
5. James Toseland (GBR) Tech 3 Yamaha 29
6. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 26
7. John Hopkins (USA) Kawasaki Racing 24
8. Colin Edwards (USA) Tech 3 Yamaha 22
9. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) JiR Team Scot MotoGP 21
10. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda 19
11. Shinya Nakano (JPN) San Carlo Honda Gresini 16
12. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki 14
13. Marco Melandri (ITA) Ducati Marlboro 12
14. Randy De Puniet (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP 8
15. Toni Elias (SPA) Alice Team 7
16. Alex De Angelis (RSM) San Carlo Honda Gresini 7
17. Sylvain Guintoli (FRA) Alice Team 3
18. Anthony West (AUS) Kawasaki Racing 3
Estoril:
Lap Record: J. Lorenzo (Yamaha) 2008, 1'37.404
Best Lap: J. Lorenzo (Yamaha) 2008, 1'35.715
