GRAND PRIX OF CATALUNYA
The race / JORGE LORENZO FINISHES SECOND IN GP OF
CATALUNYA AFTER FANTASTIC COMEBACK; GREAT FIFTH PLACE FOR
ALEX DEBON
Jorge Lorenzo made a fantastic comeback in the Catalunya
GP, in which he went from fourth to second position in a single
lap. Lorenzo spent half the race in fifth and was some way
off the lead quartet, having had a great start but committing
a first lap error to drop six places. After taking some time
to find his rhythm, the Fortuna Aprilia rider then went all
out to chase down the lead riders. On a jaw-dropping final
lap, Lorenzo overtook both Alex de Angelis and Roberto Locatelli,
but was unable to get past championship rival Andrea Dovizioso,
whose advantage in the overall classification now stands at
25 points. Alex Debon, filling in for the injured Hector Barbera,
rode a phenomenal race and even led the race at one point,
becoming a key player in Jorge Lorenzo’s comeback. The
next race for both riders will take place in six days at Assen
in Holland.
JORGE LORENZO
“I gave my all and can be satisfied with second place,
seeing as for many laps I didn’t think that the lead
group would be within my reach. I dropped places at the start
and it was difficult to make my way back through the field,
especially as my tyre was a little hard and I needed to warm
it up. I am slightly disappointed, as this is the best crowd
in the world and I couldn’t give them a home victory,
and also because lap after lap my bike was getting lighter
and I was improving times accordingly. Today Dovizioso showed
that he is a great rider, but the title race is still wide
open. I couldn’t afford to crash, but I still gave my
all and took sensible risks. I want to also mention that Alex
Debon did a magnificent job today.
ALEX DEBON
I am very happy to have been in the lead on the early laps.
I saw that Jorge wasn’t alongside me and it threw me
a little, I didn’t know whether to push on or hold back
for him. Generally speaking I am happy with my work, fifth
place certainly isn’t a bad finish. I am much happier
for Jorge, who made a great comeback. My goal is to carry
on working the same as today whilst Hector is out injured,
and then resume my role as Aprilia test rider.
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