GRAND PRIX OF CHINA
The race / FIRST 250CC VICTORY FOR HECTOR BARBERA,
JORGE LORENZO FOURTH
Hector Barbera is on a roll. After taking his first 250 podium
in Turkey, he went one better in China and, after starting
from pole, clinched his first victory in the 250 class to
add to his six in the 125 category. However, it was not such
a good day for FORTUNA APRILIA team-mate Jorge Lorenzo who
finished off the podium in fourth after suffering a number
of problems. Barbera battled it out with Andrea Dovizioso
for victory after the early fall of Alex de Angelis and Lorenzo's
unexpected inability to keep pace at the front. After passing
each other a number of times, the race was decided on the
final lap. It was the Spaniard who got the best drive on the
final long straight to steal an advantage he did not give
up and take the chequered flag. It means he now moves into
second in the championship, three points behind the Italian.
Behind them, Jorge Lorenzo had an intense battle with Japanese
riders Hiroshi Aoyama and Yuki Takahashi but always looked
set to pull away and challenge the front two. It was not to
be, however, and he even missed out on the podium altogether,
dropping to third in the championship behind both Barbera
and Dovizioso.
HECTOR BARBERA, 1st, Race: 44’49.445
2nd in championship with 69 points
“I am so happy and want to dedicate this win those
that have always supported me, my family and all the team.
In two races I have claimed my first 250 podium and now my
first win, what more can you ask for?! It was quite an easy
race, a straight fight with Andrea, without the stress there
was in Turkey when there were five riders battling it out.
I was studying his moves and knew I had more speed on the
straight and then I held him off. There was a lot of strategy
and luckily I was able to get on that top step of the podium.
The season is very long but I am only three points off the
lead in the championship and the title is in sight for me."
JORGE LORENZO, 4th, Race: 44’53.047
3rd in championship with 63 points
“I would prefer not to say anything now. I will study
what happened and talk after the race in Le Mans."
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