The race / WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT PROLONGED AS LORENZO
FINISHES FIFTH IN ESTORIL
Jorge Lorenzo finished fifth in the 250cc Portuguese Grand
Prix and had his championship lead cut to 13 points by title
rival Andrea Dovizioso who won at Estoril. Lorenzo had his
first chance to clinch the world championship at the Portuguese
circuit and would have done so if he had finished ahead of
the Italian, but must now wait until the final round of the
season in Valencia to try and secure the 250 crown. Team-mate
Hector Barbera finished tenth in Portugal after suffering
a fall. The race took place under cloudy skies and with conditions
much colder than on previous days. Despite making a good start,
Lorenzo rapidly lost ground on the lead group of Locatelli,
Aoyama, De Angelis and Dovizioso. Barbera fell on the second
lap, but was able to get back on and rejoin the race. Up at
the front, Jorge did not look comfortable and became embroiled
in a battle for sixth with Takahashi and Simoncelli. However,
in the closing stages the Mallorcan found a good rhythm and
fought well to claim fifth, with Barbera having to settle
for tenth.
JORGE LORENZO, 5th
“I don’t believe I was sufficiently prepared
for the race, I lacked rhythm and that was the cause of the
final result. I found it hard to lap well in tyhe conditions
and it was only towards the end of the race that I began to
find some real pace.
I feel bad for the team who did a great job, and also for
all the fans, but I gave it all I had and it wasn’t
to be. Inside I am a little disappointed, but that’s
normal, I always want to win, but I have to act like the champion
I want to be. I am sure that Aprilia will do everything to
improve the bike and do everything possible to help me. Despite
everything I am calm and have confidence in myself, I just
ask the fans not to lose faith because we will do it in Valencia.”
HECTOR BARBERÁ, 10th
“I am a little disappointed with the result, but racing
is like that. I made a good start and lapped alongside Espargaro
over the first few laps until I fell after battling with him.
I went off the track a little and lost the back wheel and
ended up on the ground. After the fall I was lapping in the
1’42s for the most part of the race and felt comfortable
on the bike which made the fall even more hard to take. I
hope to have a good race at Valencia.”
DANI AMATRIAIN, TEAM MANAGER FORTUNA APRILIA
“It was a very hard race and I want to congratulate
Jorge because at just 19 years of age he has dealt with all
the pressure of the weekend very well. He was able to finish
fifth despite not being at his most comfortable and now the
championship will be decided at Cheste where we will head
with the utmost confidence despite facing a very tough and
skilled rival in Dovizioso.”
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