GRAND PRIX OF JAPAN
The race / ELEVENTH PODIUM OF THE YEAR FOR JORGE
LORENZO WHO EXTENDS CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD
Jorge Lorenzo claimed his eleventh podium of the 2006 season
as he took third position at the Japanese GP behind home favourite
Hiroshi Aoyama and San Marino rider Alex De Angelis. The result
allowed the Spaniard to extend his 250 championship lead by
three points, from 24 to 27, as he finished a place ahead
of closest rival Andrea Dovizioso. With just two rounds to
go, Lorenzo could be crowned world champion at the next race
in Portugal if he finishes ahead of the Italian, or just one
place behind him in fourth position or lower. It proved a
difficult race for Lorenzo at Motegi, he got away well, but
was joined in a lead group by four other riders. Hiro Aoyama,
Alex De Angelis, Yukio Takahashi and Dovizioso. After Takahasi
had fallen, Lorenzo edged ahead of his main rival Dovizioso
on lap 20 and steadily opened a gap to clinch a place on the
podium and an important result. Hector Barbera finished in
seventh after riding a steady race despite problems with his
bike. The Valencian rider, who battled to overcome suspension
difficulties on his Aprilia, made up several places in the
closing stages, but will have to improve if he wants to challenge
for victory in the final two races of the season.
JORGE LORENZO, 3rd.
“I am very happy although it might not seem like it.
I have taken another step towards my ultimate ambition, but
I realize it is not won yet and that I can’t afford
to relax. This result allows us to travel to Portugal calmly
with our advantage still in tact. It was one of the worst
races I have ridden this year as I was not happy on the bike
at any stage and the tyres went quite quickly. I failed and
would like to apologise to the team because my performance
did not match that of the bike. I benefited from Takahashi’s
fall, but that is part of racing and sometimes these things
go against you.”
HÉCTOR BARBERÁ, 7th.
“It was a very difficult race and I found it hard to
concentrate and motivate myself after all the set-up problems
that I had in qualifying. Whenever I opened the gas the bike
moved all over the place and it’s difficult to battle
with riders who are at 100 percent when you yourself are at
about 80 percent. The bike did corner better today, but the
rear end continued to give us big problems. I am not happy
with the result, but I am with my performance. I am continuing
to work hard and hope to have found a solution by Estoril.”
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