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Lorenzo Scores First MotoGP Win
Category: Racing News
Date: 17 Apr 2008
Time: 14:21:37 -0400
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In one of the most remarkable rookie seasons in MotoGP history, 20-year-old Fiat Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo put his YZR-M1 on the pole and then into victory lane in only his third premier-class GP race in Estorial, Portugal on Sunday, April 13. With teammate Valentino Rossi finishing third and Colin Edwards of Tech 3 Yamaha finishing fourth, Yamaha occupied three out of the top four spots. Better still, Lorenzo’s stunning performance moves him into a tie for the MotoGP points lead with runner-up Dani Pedrosa, while Fiat Yamaha leads the team standings and Yamaha leads the overall manufacturer standings. Just as he has in every MotoGP race so far this year, Lorenzo stole the show in qualifying, with Rossi in third and Tech 3 teammates Edwards and James Toseland fifth and sixth, respectively. When the starting lights went out Lorenzo and Rossi immediately engaged in a gripping dogfight for the lead, but conditions seemed uncertain as raindrops soon began to fall at the Estorial circuit. Fortunately the precipitation was minimal, and Rossi led the way until close to the halfway point, with Pedrosa climbing into second between the two Yamahas. Then Lorenzo pulled the trigger, setting the fastest race lap on lap 12 and scorching past both Pedrosa and Rossi to take the lead for good. In addition to his hat trick of pole positions, the win also gave Lorenzo, already a double world champion in the 250cc GP class, another distinction as the youngest rider ever to score three straight MotoGP podiums. "I feel like I'm in heaven!” said a jubilant Lorenzo after the race. “I can't believe it and it's really impossible for me to describe my feelings. To be here after just three races and at the top of the championship as well is something that I could never have even dreamed of. I'm so happy for everyone!” Valentino Rossi added, “This isn't a bad result for us because we expected this to be quite a difficult track. I think we've made another step forward this weekend and we have an important test tomorrow – I hope in China we will be able to fight for the win!"
2008 MotoGP Points 4/13/08 Pos. Rider Points
1 Jorge Lorenzo – Yamaha 61
2 Dani Pedrosa 61
3 Valentino Rossi – Yamaha 47
4 Casey Stoner 40
5 James Toseland – Yamaha 29
6 Loris Capirossi 26
7 John Hopkins 24
8 Colin Edwards – Yamaha 22
9 Andrea Dovizioso 21
10 Nicky Hayden 19