GRAND PRIX OF QATAR
The race / SECOND VICTORY FOR JORGE LORENZO
Jorge Lorenzo claimed his second consecutive win at the Qatar
Grand Prix to start the 2006 season in perfect style by pulling
clear at the top of the championship. The FORTUNA APRILIA
rider pipped Italian Andrea Dovizioso on the line after an
intense battle between the two riders throughout the race.
Lorenzo, who was on pole, lost a few positions at the start
but launched a spectacular fight-back. On lap nine he begun
his pursuit of Dovizioso who, up until that moment, had attempted
to get away but without success. In the end their duel came
down to the last lap but, despite being passed by the Italian,
Lorenzo fought back and edged it on the line. After his win
in Jerez, and now in in Qatar, Lorenzo has 50 points, 14 more
than his closest rival, Dovizioso. For his part, Hector Barbera
just missed out on the podium having been overtaken on the
final corner by Roberto Locatelli. The Valencian rider was
third for most of the race, but could not hold on to it in
the difficult windy conditions.
JORGE LORENZO Fortuna Aprilia (1st, Time: 41’29.946)
"I thought I wasn't going to do it. Being in front for
so many laps is not good because the rider behind can watch
you and decide what he wants to do. I tried to shake off Dovizioso
but I could not manage it which worried me as he is a very
intelligent rider who can take advantage at any moment. But
I have won here again, just as I did in the 125s two years
ago although the level is a bit higher this time. The wind
made it difficult for us but the important thing is that we
have two wins and have a little advantage in the championship
already. The team is working together perfectly and now we
just have to keep it up."
HECTOR BARBERÁ Fortuna Aprilia (4th, Time:
41’49.344)
"I let a podium finish get away from me and I'm not
happy. We had a lot of problems with the wind in the warm-up
as the bike was jumping around quite a bit which meant we
had to make some changes to the set-up. That was a shame as
in the normal conditions of yesterday we had found a really
good set-up and I was hopeful of winning. In the race itself,
Locatelli made contact with me, took my line and took away
my podium place. I think in that manoeuvre I was too passive
and in the forthcoming races I will attemt to be more aggressive.
I thank him for apologizing at the end and admitting his move
was right on the limit of being legal. We've had two races
now where I've missed the podium and I hope to change that
run in Turkey."
DANI AMATRIAIN. TEAM MANAGER
"We are very happy although we would have been more
so if Hector had held on to his position and joined Jorge
on the podium. Jorge rode a great race in difficult positions
and lapped at good speed. The 250 class is very close and
is getting better all the time despite the fact the ex-champion
has shown his lack of sportsmanship by trying to take away
some of its prestige even though it gave him international
recognition just a short time ago."
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