Jorge Lorenzo wasn’t always at the top during today’s MotoGP race in Jerez, but with the checkered flags in site, Lorenzo made one final lunge to claim victory in front of his home crowd. Lorenzo dropped down to fifth at the beginning of the race, but managed to work his way back up the rankings to claim the top spot on the podium with just a half lap to go.
Pole winner Dani Pedrosa started the race in the lead, and was able to lead the pack throughout most of the race today, and with 6 laps to go, Pedrosa had a two second lead on both Valentino Rossi and Lorenzo. Rossi wasn’t able to catch Pedrosa, but his teammate Lorenzo was able to cut off a half second at each lap until he passed Pedrosa to claim his sixth career victory.
Rossi, who is riding with an injured shoulder, got slowly faster throughout the weekend, finally breaking into the podium when it counted.
Pedrosa moves into the top spot on the overall leader board. Rossi slides back into second place, four points behind the leader, and Pedrosa makes a big step on the leader board, to claim third position.
Nicky Hayden and Casey Stoner close out the top five.
1. SPA Fiat Yamaha Team 45m 17.538s
2. SPA Repsol Honda Team 45m 18.081s
3. ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 45m 18.428s
4. USA Ducati Marlboro Team 45m 26.553s
5. AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 45m 27.572s
6. ITA Repsol Honda Team 45m 40.682s
7. FIN Pramac Racing 45m 52.027s
8. ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini 45m 52.225s
9. FRA LCR Honda 45m 53.698s
10. Alvaro Bautista SPA Rizla Suzuki 45m 54.329s
11. Marco Simoncelli ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini 45m 54.693s
12. USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 45m 55.798s
13. Hector Barbera SPA Paginas Amarillas Aspar 45m 55.909s
14. Hiroshi Aoyama JPN Interwetten Honda 46m 19.59s
15. Aleix Espargaro SPA Pramac Racing +3laps
