Lorenzo Wins Dramatic British Grand Prix
OutdoorHub 09.06.13
Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo delivered a stunning performance to take his fourth victory of the season in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on Sunday, Sept. 1. Teammate Valentino Rossi battled to fourth place, while Monster Energy Yamaha Tech 3’s Cal Crutchlow and Bradley Smith finished seventh and ninth, respectively. The win brings Lorenzo to within nine points of catching rival Dani Pedrosa for second place in the standings with six races left to go in the series. Rossi remains fourth in points, with Crutchlow in fifth and Smith in 11th place. The next event on the 2013 MotoGP calendar is in the Republic of San Marino on Sept. 15.
After qualifying second on the grid, two-time world champion Lorenzo made a lightning start in the 20-lap race, grabbing the holeshot on his YZR-M1 ahead of title rival Marc Marquez. Although unable to break away, Lorenzo executed a string of perfect laps to stay in front until just three laps from the end when Marquez snatched the lead. But Lorenzo fought back a lap later, beginning an intense battle that lasted until the final moments of the race. Lorenzo made the definitive move just two corners from the end and then held the tighter line into the last turn, taking the checkers just 0.081 seconds ahead of Marquez to claim victory. “This was one of the best races I’ve ever had. I’m really happy and really pleased,” Lorenzo said. “It’s a very important win.”
Meanwhile, Lorenzo’s teammate Rossi made an excellent start from sixth on the grid, initially jumping three places to slot in behind Marquez in third position. The nine-time world champion slipped to sixth after struggling with setup in the early laps, but then regrouped to mount a dramatic charge back up to fourth. With 12 laps to go, Rossi entered a close fight with German rider Stefan Bradl, and he then hunted down rival Alvaro Bautista with just three laps remaining.This final battle continued right to the finish line, where Rossi’s racecraft eventually gave him the upper hand. “We will continue to work hard – we never give up and are not so far from the front now,” Rossi said.
2013 MotoGP Points: 9/1/13
- Marc Marquez – 233 Points
- Dani Pedrosa – 203 Points
- Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) – 194 Points
- Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) – 156 Points
- Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha) – 136 Points
