Yamaha Factory Racing rider Jorge Lorenzo put in an impressive performance today at Laguna Seca to take second in the Grand Prix of USA. Having started from pole, Lorenzo took the hole shot closely followed by rival Dani Pedrosa into turn one. He held the lead until a small incident in the corkscrew allowed Casey Stoner to close the already small gap, the Australian then passing him on the main straight on lap 21. Lorenzo tucked in behind in second, crossing the line just 3.429 seconds later.
Fellow Yamaha Factory rider Ben Spies continued to experience his run of bad luck for his home race. Spies made a strong start from the grid, slotting in behind Casey Stoner in fourth through the first turn. Although unable to stay with the front pack the Texan was looking comfortable holding fourth ahead of Andrea Dovizioso until a dramatic crash in the corkscrew on the 22nd lap caused by a technical failure with his swingarm.
I tried my best the beginning to open a gap and I managed it but then in the corkscrew I almost crashed
Lorenzo leaves Laguna having increased his Championship lead to 23 over Pedrosa, Spies remains in 10th with 66 points.
Jorge Lorenzo Position:2nd Time: +3.429
“I tried my best the beginning to open a gap and I managed it but then in the corkscrew I almost crashed. For Casey maybe that was a motivation and he caught me in one lap. After that I couldn’t keep the pace I had in the beginning, maybe the soft tyre was the best option for this race. Without a doubt Casey was riding in an excellent form today and it wasn’t possible to beat him.”
Ben Spies Position: DNF Time:
“We had a technical failure in the swingarm. I was feeling really good, I didn’t have the grip that I had in the earlier sessions with the harder tyre but in the last ten laps I was starting to pull away and I had a little left up my sleeve. We started to stretch out a lead over Dovi then all of a sudden at the bottom of the corkscrew the bike went out from underneath me. I had no control, it didn’t slide or anything just completely went. At first I thought I’d hit a bump but there isn’t one there. It’s nobody’s fault but it’s more bad luck.”
Wilco Zeelenberg Team Manager
“Another important result today. Jorge rode a brilliant race again, as we expected the tyre choice was very important. He had a small incident in the corkscrew that allowed Casey to catch up, but anyway his pace continued to be very good. It’s very important for the Championship to stay on the podium so today was a success and we have extended our lead over Dani a little. We’ll take a break now and then be ready for Indinapolis!”
Massimo Meregalli Team Director
“A good and bad day here in Laguna. The good is that we managed to increase the gap to Pedrosa. The bad is that we had a swingarm failure that caused Ben to crash. Unfortunately after his bad crash yesterday he was riding very well today and was pulling away from Dovi when he crashed. This is another part of his bad season, hopefully from Indy onwards we won’t have any more bad luck.”
Results
1. Casey Stoner (AUS) Repsol Honda Team 43'45.961
2. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Yamaha Factory Racing + 3.429
3. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team + 7.633
4. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Yamaha Tech3 + 18.602
5. Cal Crutchlow (GBR) Yamaha Tech3 + 18.779
6. Nicky Hayden (USA) Ducati Team + 26.902
7. Stefan Bradl (GER) LCR Honda + 28.393
8. Alvaro Bautista (SPA) Honda Gresini + 50.246
9. Aleix Espargaro (SPA) Power Electronics Aspar + 1'18.993
10. Karel Abraham (CZE) Cardion AB Motoracing + 1'22.076
11. Randy De Puniet (FRA) Power Electronics Aspar After 1 laps
12. Yonny Hernandez (COL) Avintia Racing After 1 laps
13. Colin Edwards (USA) NGM Mobile Forward Racing After 1 laps
14. Ivan Silva (SPA) Avintia Racing After 1 laps
15. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Ducati Team Not classified (3 laps)
16. Ben Spies (USA) Yamaha Factory Racing Not classified (11 laps)
17. James Ellison (UK) Paul Bird Motorsport Not classified (13 laps)
18. Danilo Petrucci (ITA) Came Iodaracing Project Not classified (14 laps)
19. Mattia Pasini (ITA) Speed Master Not classified (21 laps)
20. Toni Elias (SPA) Pramac Racing Team Not classified (31 laps)
21. Michele Pirro (ITA) San Carlo Honda Gresini Not classified (32 laps)
Championship Standings
1 Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Yamaha Factory Racing 205
2 Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team 182
3 Casey Stoner (AUS) Repsol Honda Team 173
4 Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Yamaha Tech3 121
5 Cal Crutchlow (GBR) Yamaha Tech3 106
6 Nicky Hayden (USA) Ducati Team 84
7 Stefan Bradl (GER) LCR Honda 84
8 Alvaro Bautista (SPA) Honda Gresini 81
9 Valentino Rossi (ITA) Ducati Team 79
10 Ben Spies (USA) Yamaha Factory Racing 66
11 Hector Barbera (SPA) Pramac Racing Team 60
12 Aleix Espargaro (SPA) Power Electronics Aspar 30
13 Randy De Puniet (FRA) Power Electronics Aspar 28
14 Michele Pirro (ITA) San Carlo Honda Gresini 14
15 Mattia Pasini (ITA) Speed Master 13
16 Karel Abraham (CZE) Cardion AB Motoracing 10
17 James Ellison (UK) Paul Bird Motorsport 10
18 Colin Edwards (USA) NGM Mobile Forward Racing 8
19 Danilo Petrucci (ITA) Came Iodaracing Project 8
20 Yonny Hernandez (COL) Avintia Racing 5
21 Ivan Silva (SPA) Avintia Racing 5
