Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Valentino Rossi highlighted why he is the most successful rider at Circuito de Jerez today and rode one of the strongest races of his career to receive a standing ovation as he jumped onto the top step of the podium for the Gran Premio de España. Jorge Lorenzo also put in a stunning effort under the Andalusian sunshine and made it a perfect 1-2 for the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP team.
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1st | VALENTINO ROSSI
45’28.834 / 27 LAPS
2nd | JORGE LORENZO
+2.386 / 27 LAPS
Grand Prix of Spain
Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, 24th April 2016
The Movistar Yamaha MotoGP team dominated the scenes in Spain as Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo set off from first and second place of the grid. They didn‘t relinquish the first two places once to any other riders and gave Yamaha a perfect one-two podium.
Starting from pole the nine-time world champion had a strong start and took the holeshot with his team-mate following his every move like a shadow. Two laps of tense racing action followed as they pushed each other to the limit. Rossi tried to make his YZR-M1 as wide as possible as Lorenzo tried to steal the lead. He had a brief success, but Rossi immediately responded. Realising the threat that was coming from behind, the Doctor dropped the fastest lap of the race on lap three, a 1‘40.090s, and created a 0.7s gap to his pursuers. With clear track in front of him and behind him, Rossi put the hammer down and checked out.
Determined to look after his tyres, the Italian lowered his pace a little in the final stages of the race, yet made sure to keep enough space between him and Lorenzo by responding in the right moments. He finished his lonely ride by taking the chequered flag 2.386s ahead his closest rival and took home his 113th career victory.
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Teammate Lorenzo had a strong start and tucked in behind team-mate Rossi in second place. The local hero is known for being strong on the opening lap and built on the pressure on his fellow Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider. He was eager to find a way past the number 46 rider after a few attempts that weren‘t to last, but soon he had to focus on protecting his second place from a fast approaching Marc Marquez.
However, the race was far from over. With 10 laps to go Lorenzo was able to turn the tables on Rossi and started to close down the margin. It looked like a second battle for the win was about to take place when suddenly the Spaniard suffered from wheel spin on the long straight just as he started to reel in his team-mate. Keeping his head cool, Lorenzo finished the race calmly and secured his 100th premier class podium.
Race Results
1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) | Movistar Yamaha MotoGP | 45’28.834
2. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) | Movistar Yamaha MotoGP | +2.386
3. Marc Marquez (SPA) | Repsol Honda Team | +7.087
Valentino Rossi
“I think that this was the perfect weekend. We started to go faster from Friday morning and we worked very well. The bike, in the race, was fantastic and we worked very well with the team so I have to say “thank you” to the whole Movistar Yamaha MotoGP team, especially my crew. I had a good pace and a good start and felt good with the bike from the beginning, so I could push. Sincerely, it was a special taste to have a win like this, so thanks a lot!”
Valentino Rossi
Jorge Lorenzo“The positive thing is that the Yamahas went better and also 20 points and second place is good for the championship. Because Rossi crashed in Austin, he is still behind in the championship standings and we made up some points to Marquez. The only thing is that we could have won the race without the problem on the front-straight. Going through the gears the bike didn‘t stop spinning and I couldn‘t fully open the throttle. Just when I started recovering metres on Rossi this problem started, so I had to slow down a lot and I didn‘t have the chance to fight with him for the victory, but sometimes this happens. Now Michelin have to find out what is going on. They improved the front tyre and now I am sure they’ll work on the rear to solve these kinds of issues.”
Team Director
“ It was an incredible Grand Prix for the whole team. We finished a perfect weekend in first and second place and led almost all the session. What we accomplished here is an important result, especially because of the significant gap to the other manufacturers at what is one of the home Grand Prixs of our title sponsor, Movistar. Valentino has been strong since Friday and we are thrilled for him to take home such a stunning victory. He had a good start and rode a perfect race and led from the first to the last lap without making any mistakes. He did everything right and fully deserved this win. It was unfortunate that Jorge was slowed down by wheel spin towards the end of the race, because he was also looking very strong, especially at the start and also just after the mid-way point of the race. He again showed that he is an incredible professional and clever rider to be able to ride around the problem and take home valuable points for the championship. I want to thank the entire team staff who made this result possible. Now we have a few hours to enjoy today‘s achievements and then we will focus on tomorrow‘s test.”
Massimo Meregalli[title size=”3″ content_align=”left” style_type=”single solid” sep_color=”” class=”” id=””]Schedule & Standings[/title]
Rossi remains in third position with his first place podium finish, now on 58 points and seven points behind Lorenzo, who is in second place with a total of 65 points, 17 behind the leader in the championship standings.
The MotoGP Championship now heads to Le Mans for the Grand Prix of France on 8th May.
| Date | Race | Venue | Location | Lorenzo | Rossi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 20 | Grand Prix of Qatar | Losail International Circuit | Qatar | 1st 25 pts |
4th 13 pts |
| Apr 4 | Grand Prix of Argentina | Autódromo Termas de Río Hondo | Argentina | NC 25 pts |
2nd 33 pts |
| Apr 10 | Grand Prix of the Americas | Circuit of the Americas | Austin, TX | 2nd 45 pts |
NC 33 pts |
| Apr 24 | Grand Prix of Spain | Circuido de Jerez | Jerez de la Frontera, Spain | 2nd 65 pts |
1st 58 pts |
| May 8 | Grand Prix of France | Circuit de ls Sarthe | Le Mans, France | – | – |
| Jun 5 | Grand Prix of Catalunya | Circuit de Catalunya | Montmeló, Spain | – | – |
| Jun 26 | Grand Prix of the Netherlands | Circuit de ls Sarthe | Assen, Netherlands | – | – |
| Jul 17 | Grand Prix of Germany | Sachsenring | Saxon, Germany | – | – |
| Aug 14 | Grand Prix of Austria | Red Bull Ring | Spielberg, Austria | – | – |
| Aug 21 | Grand Prix of Czech Republic | Automodrom Brno | Brno, Czech Republic | – | – |
| Sep 11 | Grand Prix of San Marino | Misano World Circuit | Misano Adriatico, Italy | – | – |
| Sep 25 | Grand Prix of Aragón | Motorland Aragón | Aragón, Spain | – | – |
| Oct 16 | Grand Prix of Japan | Twin Ring Motegi | Tochigi, Japan | – | – |
| Oct 23 | Grand Prix of Australia | Phillip Island Circuit | Phillip Island Victoria, Australia | – | – |
| Oct 30 | Grand Prix of Malaysia | Sepang International Circuit | Selangor, Malaysia | – | – |
| Nov 13 | Grand Prix of Valencia | Ricardo Tormo Valencia | Cheste, Spain | – | – |