Valentino Rossi won in Jerez MotoGP and left the local Matador Dani Pedrosa at second place at 10 laps remaining to finish. The Spaniard, starting the race from 2nd place, got off to an early lead and it seemed like the 2008 Spanish Grand Prix all over again for the Andalusian fans at Jerez. The result Rossi crossed the finish line 2.7 seconds ahead of Pedrosa. Casey Stoner scored his first career podium at the Spanish track with third place (10 seconds behind Rossi).
Sadly, the second local Matador, Jorge Lorenzo failed to cross the finish line ahead of his home crowd, as he lost control of his bike with only 3 laps to go. He was then in 4th place although he started from pole position.
Rossi: “To win here at Jerez is fantastic because it is a great place and a great Grand Prix. I am so happy because I am top of the championship but I know I am fighting against some very strong rivals who are very difficult riders to beat.”
Randy de Puniet was at fourth after the LCR Honda rider had previously started the race from 5th place. He was followed at the chequered flag by Hayate Racing’s Marco Melandri and Suzuki’s Loris Capirossi.
MotoGP Jerez Results:1. Valentino Rossi (Fiat Yamaha)
2. Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda)
3. Casey Stoner (Marlboro Ducati)
4. Randy de Puniet (LCR Honda)
5. Marco Melandri (Hayate Kawasaki)
6. Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki)
7. Colin Edwards (Tech 3 Yamaha)
8. Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda)
9. Toni Elias (Gresini Honda)
10. Chris Vermeulen (Rizla Suzuki)
11. Sete Gibernau (Grupo Francisco Hernando Ducati)
12. Yuki Takahashi (Scot Honda)
13. James Toseland (Tech 3 Yamaha)
14. Alex de Angelis (Gresini Honda)
15. Nicky Hayden (Marlboro Ducati)
DNF Jorge Lorenzo (Fiat Yamaha)
DNF Mika Kallio (Pramac Ducati)
Rossi’s advantage in the overall classification is now 11 points to second placed Stoner, with Lorenzo and Pedrosa square on points in 3d place (24 points down to leader Rossi). The next race in the MotoGP calendar is scheduled 2 weeks from now, at Le Mans (France).Valentino “The Doctor” Rossi was the winner, however, Randy De Puniet (at fourth place) was the hottest rider.
