Bradley Smith took full advantage of the weather to finish a brilliant second in the five lap 125cc race at the Alice Grand Prix of France after the first race had been stopped because of rain. The 17 year old Polaris World Aprilia rider actually led the shortest race in grand prix history but settled for a safe second place after being overtaken by the Frenchman Mike di Meglio. After his crashes in Portugal and China this result, his best in grand prix racing, was a massive boost to the teenager and his team.
“I was given a second chance by the weather and I was determined not to waste it,¨ said a delighted Smith, after finishing second behind Di Meglio. “In the first race I made a dreadful start from the front row and had fought my way back to ninth and then the rain started to fall and the race was stopped, giving me a big second chance. I made a good start from the third row and led the way in the wet. With one and a half laps remaining Di Meglio came by and when I went through to start the last lap the team held out a big pit board which said 2nd OK and I knew exactly what they meant. It was a fantastic feeling crossing the line after so many disappointments this year and now we can really get the season underway at Mugello in two weeks time.”
It was not such a good day for the other British riders.
James Toseland made a brilliant start from the third row of the MotoGP grid but crashed when he clashed with Andre Dovizioso.
Danny Webb finished 22nd in the re-run 125 cc race but Scott Redding has already crashed out of the original race. In the 250 cc race won by Spanish Alex Debon, Ulsterman Eugene Laverty crashed out while in a points scoring position on the Blusens Aprilia.
Rossi Re-Writes the History Books in Le Mans
Valentino Rossi rewrote the history books and took the lead in the World Championship for the first time for over a year with an impressive victory in the 28 lap MotoGP race round the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans this afternoon.
The 29 year old Italian equalled Angel Nieto´s record of 90 grands prix wins and the Spanish legend celebrated by riding Rossi on the back of the race winning Fiat Yamaha on the celebration lap before interviewing him on Spanish television.
With Jorge Lorenzo finishing second and Colin Edwards third it was the first all Yamaha podium finish in the premier class for seven years while Rossi secured his first back to back wins for almost two years.
While Rossi, who was comfortable winner, won the adulation of the 75,000 crowd it was 21 year old Lorenzo who surely won the bravery award. The Spaniard arrived at the press conference in a wheel chair to explain how he finished second just 16 days after fracturing both his ankles in China and also crashing twice in practice in Le Mans.
It was a disastrous afternoon for World Champion Casey Stoner who was battling for second place when he slowed dramatically with a mechanical problem on his Marlboro Ducati. He limped back to the pits and rejoined the race on his second machine but finished out of the points in16th place.
Rossi leads Lorenzo and fourth placed Dani Pedrosa by three points and the next round of the Championship just had to be at Mugello in Italy.
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Race Results:
1. 46 Valentino ROSSI - ITA - YAMAHA 44'30.799
2. 48 Jorge LORENZO - SPA - YAMAHA 44'35.796
3. 5 Colin EDWARDS - USA - YAMAHA 44'37.604
4. 2 Dani PEDROSA - SPA - HONDA 44'40.956
5. 7 Chris VERMEULEN - AUS - SUZUKI 44'52.561
6. 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO - ITA - HONDA 44'53.194
Championship Positions:
1. ROSSI Valentino - ITA 97
2. LORENZO Jorge - SPA 94
3. PEDROSA Dani - SPA 94
4. STONER Casey - AUS 56
5. EDWARDS Colin - USA 47
6. CAPIROSSI Loris - ITA 42
Images from MotoGP.com
