Write him off at your peril – a magnificent display by 29 year old Valentino Rossi that rolled back the years as he won the Pramac Grand Prix of China in Shanghai this afternoon.
It was classic Rossi, reeling off faster and faster laps on the Fiat Yamaha to finally break the resolve of a very determined Dani Pedrosa who not only finished an impressive second but also took over the lead in the World Championship.
It was Rossi first win since Portugal last year and his first on Bridgestone tyres and he lies third in the Championship, nine points behind Pedrosa. World Champion Casey Stoner was a lonely third after the wrong tyre choice on the start and finish line when the earlier rain stopped and the track started to dry.
Jorge Lorenzo was a brave fourth as he celebrated his 21st birthday He was still in considerable pain after his crash on Friday afternoon that cracked a bone in his left ankle and left him battered and bruised. He now trails his great rival Pedrosa by seven points in the Championship chase.
There have been four separate winners in the opening four grands prix as the European season really kicks off at Le Mans in France in two weeks time.
Toseland & Laverty Keep Upright to Bring Home the Points Yorkshireman James Toseland and Ulsterman Eugene Laverty overcame difficult conditions to score vital points in the MotoGP and 250cc races while the 125 cc youngsters fell by the wayside.
Twenty seven year old Toseland finished 12th in the MotoGP race on the Tech 3 Yamaha making his Shanghai debut. “It was tough but that is how it is sometimes riding at a track for the first time. I was pleased to score more points and at the end of the day I held onto my fifth place in the Championship.”
It was harder in the 250 cc race as a wet track started to dry. Laverty, riding the Blusens Aprilia, kept his head for his second successive points scoring ride.
The track was much wetter in the 125 cc race and all three British youngsters fell foul of the conditions. Bradley Smith crashed out of third place, Danny Webb from eighth. The last to fall was 15 year old Scott Redding who was in a points scoring position.
Race Results:
1 . Valentino ROSSI - ITA - YAMAHA 44'08.061
2. Dani PEDROSA - SPA - HONDA 44'11.951
3. Casey STONER - AUS - DUCATI 44'23.989
4. Jorge LORENZO - SPA - YAMAHA 44'30.555
5. Marco MELANDRI - ITA - DUCATI 44'35.018
6. Nicky HAYDEN - USA - HONDA 44'36.430
Championship Positions:
1. PEDROSA Dani 81
2. LORENZO Jorge 74
3. ROSSI Valentino 72
4. STONER Casey 56
5. CAPIROSSI Loris 33
6. TOSELAND James 33
