China MotoGP results. Rossi back on top!

Valentino Rossi produced a faultless performance to clinch victory in the China MotoGP ahead of Dani Pedrosa.

The pair were dominant on a damp track and fought a fascinating battle throughout, but Rossi outpaced the Spaniard over the last few laps.

The win was the Italian Yamaha rider’s first in eight races and announces his, and his team’s, return to form.

World champion Casey Stoner was third, while Jorge Lorenzo, hampered by injury, came a stunning fourth.

Rossi’s team-mate Lorenzo dug deep and rode bravely following his huge crash in practice on Friday which left him with a chipped left ankle bone.

Pedrosa’s second place gave him the outright lead in the championship – seven points ahead of compatriot Lorenzo.

Pole-sitter Colin Edwards initially fought for the lead with Rossi and Pedrosa but ran wide on lap six and rejoined in seventh, where he finished.

Rossi delighted with Shanghai victory
His Tech 3 Yamaha team-mate, and Britain’s sole MotoGP representative, James Toseland could manage only 12th.

Marco Melandri had his best result since joining Ducati, finishing in fifth place ahead of 2006 world champion Nicky Hayden.

The only person to retire from the race was Chris Vermeulen, who had clutch problems with his Rizla Suzuki.

Rossi’s victory was his 62nd in the premier racing class and he celebrated by immediately pulling off the track, kissing his bike and then sitting on the barrier near the pits.

Toseland frustrated by conditions
“I’m very, very happy. It’s been a long time without victory,” said Rossi, who last won in Portugal last season.

“I felt confident with my bike from the first lap. The start was not so bad and after I went in front I kept my rhythm. It was a great battle with Dani.”

Rossi has struggled this season following his switch to tyre makers Bridgestone, but he seemed to have no issues in Shanghai.

Early heavy rains drenched the circuit but despite the threatening skies, the race was held in nearly dry conditions.

And Rossi added: “My rhythm was fantastic to the end, and I was able to ride the bike like I wanted, so it was a great victory.”

606: DEBATE
My hat is off to Pedrosa for pushing Rossi till the end and Melandri for finally coming to terms with the Ducati

klotnews

Pedrosa admitted that Rossi had a little too much pace for him, and the Spaniard revealed he decided to settle for second.

“It was a hard race,” he said. “At the end I just slowed down cause I saw that I could not get him.”

Struggling defending world champion Stoner was not happy with his third place, and was even less happy with his choice of tyres.

“We were advised to go with a softer compound rear tyre, which basically after three laps just wasn’t enough,” said the Australian.

“I think we had reasonable race pace, and I think we would have been a lot faster. I don’t think I would have been battling with them, but I think we would have been more relaxed in the race.

“I’m a little disappointed with today, we still have a lot more work to do. Hopefully in the next races we can improve this position.”

China MotoGP results:

1. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha 44 mins 08.061 secs
2. Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda 44:11.951
3. Casey Stoner (Australia) Ducati 44:23.989
4. Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha 44:30.555
5. Marco Melandri (Italy) Ducati 44:35.018
6. Nicky Hayden (U.S.) Honda 44:36.430
7. Colin Edwards (U.S.) Yamaha 44:37.841
8. Toni Elias (Spain) Ducati 44:38.286
9. Loris Capirossi (Italy) Suzuki 44:39.501
10. Shinya Nakano (Japan) Honda 44:44.030

MotoGP championship standings:

1. Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda 81
2. Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha 74
3. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha 72
4. Casey Stoner (Australia) Ducati 56
5. Loris Capirossi (Italy) Suzuki 33
6. James Toseland (Britain) Yamaha 33
7. Colin Edwards (U.S.) Yamaha 31
8. Nicky Hayden (U.S.) Honda 29
9. Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) Honda 26
10. John Hopkins (U.S.) Kawasaki 26

From
https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/7382670.stm