Grand Prix of Germany - Lorenzo
Ambient temperature: 14 degrees
Track temperature: 17 degrees
Humidity: 82%
UNLUCKY LORENZO SLIDES OFF IN RAINY GERMANY
Fiat Yamaha Team rider Jorge Lorenzo was one of four riders
who failed to finish the German Grand Prix today, falling
victim to a soaking track on the third lap of a rainy race
at Sachsenring. His team-mate Valentino Rossi meanwhile regained
his championship lead by way of an important second place,
after series-leader Dani Pedrosa crashed out of the lead early
on.
Lorenzo had lacked rear grip all weekend but was hopeful
that the rain might improve the situation today. Unfortunately
however the reverse was true and he was thrown from his M1
when his rear tyre spun up on the exit from turn four, on
lap three of 30. The Mallorcan was luckily completely unhurt
this time and will not have to wait long to get over his disappointment,
as his first competitive visit to Laguna Seca beckons in just
a few day’s time.
The Michelin-shod rider holds onto fourth in the championship
despite taking no points today, whilst Rossi’s second
place behind Casey Stoner sees him take a 16-point lead, with
eight rounds remaining. The paddock now heads straight to
California for the US Grand Prix in a week’s time.
Jorge Lorenzo
Position: DNF Time:
“I felt good this morning because I though that I would
have a chance to do a good race in the rain. On the warm-up
lap however I felt that something wasn’t quite right;
I didn’t have enough grip and I lost some confidence
then. I made a good start and passed two riders in the first
corner, but then I ran too deep and lost the places so I had
to push to try to make them up again. The crash happened when
I opened the gas coming out of turn four and I lost the rear.
It was a pity but I didn’t hurt myself this time and
I am not feeling sad for myself tonight, I just feel very
bad for the team because they worked too hard all weekend
for a result like this. The positive thing about today is
that at each race I am feeling better in myself, even though
we’re having some problems getting our package work
correctly, and now I am just looking forward to racing for
the very first time at Laguna.’
Daniele Romagnoli
Team Manager
“Today it was very difficult to find enough grip on
the rear, in fact it seems like our problems became bigger
in the wet. The rear tyre was spinning a lot under acceleration
and Jorge was not able to control the rear grip. We did not
have the chance to test in full wet conditions during the
weekend and this played an important role for us, because
it meant that it was impossible to be completely prepared
for a wet race like this. We hope for better weather next
week in Laguna Seca so that we can sort out all of our problems,
because we absolutely want to come back to the level we know
Jorge is capable of.”
Results
1. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro 47'30.057
2. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team + 3.708
3. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki + 14.002
4. Alex De Angelis (RSM) San Carlo Honda Gresini + 14.124
5. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) JiR Team Scot MotoGP + 42.022
6. Sylvain Guintoli (FRA) Alice Team + 46.648
7. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP + 1'04.483
8. Randy De Puniet (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP + 1'04.588
9. Shinya Nakano (JPN) San Carlo Honda Gresini + 1'16.773
10. Anthony West (AUS) Kawasaki Racing + 1'29.275
11. James Toseland (GBR) Tech 3 Yamaha 1 Lap
12. Toni Elias (SPA) Alice Team 1 Lap
13. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda 2 Lap
NOT CLASSIFIED
Colin Edwards (USA) Tech 3 Yamaha 10 Lap
Marco Melandri (ITA) Ducati Marlboro 21 Lap
Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda 25 Lap
Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Fiat Yamaha Team 28 Lap
Championship Standings
1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team 187
2. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda 171
3. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro 167
4. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Fiat Yamaha Team 114
5. Colin Edwards (USA) Tech 3 Yamaha 98
6. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) JiR Team Scot MotoGP 90
7. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda 73
8. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki 73
9. James Toseland (GBR) Tech 3 Yamaha 65
10. Shinya Nakano (JPN) San Carlo Honda Gresini 64
11. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 60
12. Alex De Angelis (RSM) San Carlo Honda Gresini 38
13. Toni Elias (SPA) Alice Team 37
14. Sylvain Guintoli (FRA) Alice Team 34
15. Marco Melandri (ITA) Ducati Marlboro 32
16. John Hopkins (USA) Kawasaki Racing 32
17. Randy De Puniet (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP 30
18. Anthony West (AUS) Kawasaki Racing 22
19. Tadyuki Okada (JPN) Repsol Honda Team 2
20. Ben Spies (USA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 2
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