Rossi...back on form in China
|
FORMER WORLD Champion, Valentino Rossi, proved he's still got what it takes to win in MotoGP by taking victory earlier today at the China Grand Prix at Shanghai.
The Italian, who took the lead mid-race, crossed the line over three seconds ahead of nearest rival, Dani Pedrosa and over 15 seconds in front of third place rider, Casey Stoner.
The victory ends Rossi's longest stint without a win and elevates the Italian to third place in the championship standings.
Valentino's team-mate, Jorge Lorenzo, put in a hero's performance after his massive accident during free practice on Friday, clinching fourth place at the chequered flag. The Spaniard had been advised not to take part in the race due to the injuries sustained in the crash, but Lorenzo dismissed the pain from his fractured ankle to put in the ride of the day.
Britain's James Toseland finished a disappointing 12th place on his Tech 3 Yamaha. Toseland, who is racing the pneumatic-valve Yamaha for the second time this weekend, was hoping for podium glory but the Yorkshireman struggled to stay with the frontrunners. James' team-mate, Colin Edwards, couldn't match his pole position performance ending the day in seventh place.
China MotoGP race results:
1 Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha
2 Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda
3 Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro
4 Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha
5 Marco Melandri ITA Ducati Marlboro
6 Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda
7 Colin Edwards USA Tech 3 Yamaha
8 Toni Elias SPA Alice Ducati
9 Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki
10 Shinya Nakano JPN San Carlo Gresini Honda
11 Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Team Scott Honda
12 James Toseland GBR Tech 3 Yamaha
13 Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda
14 John Hopkins USA Kawasaki
15 Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alice Ducati
16 Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Gresini Honda
17 Anthony West AUS Kawasaki
MotoGP World Championship Standings
1 Daniel Pedrosa 81
2 Jorge Lorenzo 74
3 Valentino Rossi 72
4 Casey Stoner 56
5 Loris Capirossi 33
6 James Toseland 33
7 Colin Edwards 31
8 Nicky Hayden 29
9 Andrea Dovizioso 26
10 John Hopkins 26
