MotoGP: Lorenzo again – The British Grand Prix

The last MotoGP race held at Silverstone was eons ago, 1986 to be exact. Twenty four years is a lifetime, so it goes without saying that MotoGp fans in Britain were overjoyed with the return of the topflight motorcycle series.

With Rossi’s absence, Lorenzo knows he has a major responsibility, both to himself as it relates to his championship hopes and to his team Fiat Yamaha. His performance thus far indicates that he is more than competent to carry the burden and he proved the point even further, by securing pole for the British Grand Prix. Scalp hunters Randy DePuniet and Dani Pedrosa were next to him on the grid and in brilliant sunshine, a cracker was on the cards.

At the start of the race the usual mad rush to the first corner ensued and the first lap drama read like a well rehearsed script as the top contenders, Lorenzo, Dovizioso, Pedrosa and others, fought for positions. The surprise however, was the poor start Stoner got. Clutch issues with the Marlboro Ducati, saw him stationary on the grid for a brief interval and the field blew by in a mist of speed.

Pedrosa crashed during the morning practice and it appeared as if it affected his race pace and by the time Dovizioso passed Randy DePuniet for second, Lorenzo had already checked out – monitoring a 4 seconds lead.

Casey Stoner scraped his pride off the asphalt and attacked, as he advanced from last position. With Lorenzo enjoying a comfortable lead, the packed remained tightly bunched from 2nd through to 8th. The battle Dovizioso, DePuniet, Hayden, Spies, Simoncelli, Pedrosa and Stoner produced, resulted in what will be remembered as a brilliant Grand Prix ,but I tip my hat off to 3 riders in particular.

Ben Spies

Ben Spies is riding a privateer bike, which means it is technically inferior to the factory bikes and it is down on power. But his on track performance is mindboggling. He hustled his way to 3rd and swept by Hayden on a stronger Ducati in the process. He has a bright future if given the appropriate weaponry. Casey Stoner shrugged off his atrocious start and twisted the throttle to a respectable 5th and for that he deserves praise.

The victor gets the champagne and the huge trophy and with an eight seconds gap on the field, Jorge Lorenzo recorded his 3rd victory of the season and made it clear to everyone that he wants the 2010 World Championship.

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer