Moto GP Round 4 Shanghai, China

Rossi’s a Winner Again

Championship leader Jorge Lorenzo was once again the main talking point of practice but not for taking another pole position, instead it was all about his spectacular crash which resulted in fractured bones in his ankles. That was in the opening session but Lorenzo returned for the final session and amazingly was able to take fourth fastest. Colin Edwards took pole position with his Michelin-shod Yamaha with the Bridgestone-shod Yamaha of Valentino Rossi alongside him with reigning champion Casey Stoner on the outside of the front row on his Ducati.
Early morning rain left the track still damp and it was declared a wet race.
As the track was drying, they set off on slick tyres with Stoner leading them to the first corner but Edwards nipped up the inside to lead Stoner, Daniel Pedrosa, Rossi, Lorenzo, Nicky Hayden, Loris Capirossi and James Toseland around the first lap.
Pedrosa moved ahead on the second lap and stretched out a one second advantage on Edwards and Rossi with Stoner going backwards.
Rossi quickly got ahead of Edwards and chased after Pedrosa whom he caught and passed three laps later. Edwards ruined his chances of staying with them when he ran on at the end of the back straight dropping to seventh.

Round 5 Le Mans, France

Rossi Out Front

Valentino Rossi jumped to the top of the championship table after taking back-to-back victories in China and here at Le Mans in France. It was Rossi’s 90th career victory, equalling the record set by Spaniard Angel Nieto who joined him on his victory lap. Another victory will move him second in the all times winners list behind Giacomo Agostini.
After early morning rain the circuit was dry as the riders lined up in front of 75,000 spectators with championship leader Daniel Pedrosa on pole position with Colin Edwards and Casey Stoner joining him. Rossi was just behind them in fourth but poor Jorge Lorenzo was back on ?? after two crashes added more pain to his already injured ankles.
Stoner’s Ducati led them from the line to the uphill chicane closely followed by Pedrosa, Edwards, Nicky Hayden and Rossi. There was no change as they completed the opening lap. James Toseland who was battling for 7th crashed out on the third lap uninjured.
Pedrosa tried to go under Stoner a lap later but ran wide dropping back to third as Rossi took the opportunity to move into second. It took Rossi another three laps to make his move stick at the front but once ahead he opened out a clear one second advantage. Three laps later his lead was up to three seconds and Rossi was looking comfortable but then on the 14th lap the rain flags were shown.

Read the full column in this months issue.