San Marino MotoGP

2 months ago 06th Sep 22:17

MotoGP Valentino Rossi wins in San Marino to extend championship lead

In a dominant display at San Marino Valentino Rossi extended his Championship lead over team mate Jorge Lorenzo to 30 points.

Rossi struggled to catch Dani Pedrosa who got off to a flying start took take an early lead, Rossi though played the patient game before making his move on lap eight.

From then on Rossi commanded the race as Jorge Lorenzo, Rossi's nearest challenger was initially held up behind Pedrosa passing him with12 laps remaining.

With Lorenzo unable to close Rossi down the Italian gradually extended his lead to win by 2.416 seconds from Lorenzo.

Pedrosa took third place with Britain's James Toseland finishing in 10th place.

Lorenzo was lucky to stay in the race after narrowly escaping a crash on the first lap when Alex de Angelis attempted a move that ended both Colin Edwards' and Nicky Hayden's race. Both Edwards and Hayden were critical of De Angelis, with Hayden almost coming to blows with the rider.

After crashing out at Indianapolis, Rossi secured his sixth victory of the season, and with just four races remaining, the win could prove crucial as he looks to win a ninth world title.

Rossi told the press after the race "It was not easy, in the beginning I had a bad start but I was able to come back on to the pace and it was a perfect race. The people were very amazing - there was a lot of people and it was an important victory."

Pedrosa leapfrogged Casey Stoner, (the Ducati rider was missing with a virus) to take third place but he admitted he struggled to keep pace with the front two once again.

San Marino Result

1 Valentino Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 44mins 32.882secs

2 Jorge Lorenzo (Spa) Yamaha 44:35.298

3 Dani Pedrosa (Spa) Honda 44:45.282

4 Andrea Dovizioso (Ita) Honda 44:59.212

5 Loris Capirossi (Ita) Suzuki 44:59.421

6 Toni Elias (Spa) Honda 45:01.168

7 Mika Kallio (Fin) Ducati 45:03.066

8 Marco Melandri (Ita) Kawasaki 45:04.639

9 Chris Vermeulen (Aus) Suzuki 45:04.791

10 James Toseland (Gbr) Yamaha 45:11.229

11 Aleix Espargaro (Spa) Ducati 45:19.555

12 Randy De Puniet (Fra) Honda 45:24.923

13 Niccolo Canepa (Ita) Ducati 45:36.080

14 Gabor Talmacsi (Hun) Honda 45:55.229

Moto GP Drivers Championship Standings:

1 Valentino Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 237.0pts

2 Jorge Lorenzo (Spa) Yamaha 207.0

3 Dani Pedrosa (Spa) Honda 157.0

4 Casey Stoner (Aus) Ducati 150.0

5 Andrea Dovizioso (Ita) Honda 133.0

6 Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha 123.0

7 Loris Capirossi (Ita) Suzuki 97.0

8 Randy De Puniet (Fra) Honda 88.0

8 Alex De Angelis (Smr) Honda 88.0

10 Marco Melandri (Ita) Kawasaki 87.0