MotoGP news

Accident sees end of Lorenzo's streak

Fiat Yamaha Team rider Jorge Lorenzo had a disappointing 100th Grand Prix today, crashing out of the Italian round of the championship on lap seven when running strongly in sixth place. His team-mate Valentino Rossi on the other hand took an outstanding victory, his seventh consecutive win at his home track.

Lorenzo, who is still not quite at 100% after suffering two fractured ankles in China one month ago, had struggled all weekend to find a good set-up, hampered by the lack of dry track time after losing Friday and Saturday morning to rain. Starting from seventh however he seemed to have found a better rhythm and was lapping as fast as the leaders when he made a mistake at turn ten, lost the front and slid into the gravel trap. It was a frustrating end to the weekend for the young Spaniard who was hoping for more after already having taken three poles, a race win and three podiums since he joined Yamaha at the start of the season.

"We have had a lot of problems this weekend but today for the race I was feeling very motivated and I got a good start," said Lorenzo. "I think I could have fought for the podium and I can only say sorry to my team and to all of my fans; it was my mistake. I shouldn't have tried to pass Dovizioso in this corner, it wasn't the right place and I will learn from it. I am not worried about my mental condition though and I am now focused on Catalunya. Montmelo is coming and this is a good thing because I only have to wait five days until I can ride the bike again. In China we had to make some changes to the bike to enable me to ride in my condition and since then maybe we haven't been exactly right with the set-up, but now we know where the problem is. Congratulations to Rossi, he was the best today!"

more news

• 20 Nov.
  • Rossi and Newey to contest endurance race
• 18 Nov.
  • Lorenzo recovering after operation
  • Dovizioso: Progress being made
  • Finland expands television deal
• 17 Nov.
  • 2010 Czech GP brought forward
• 13 Nov.
  • Bulgarian Grands Prix now in doubt
• 11 Nov.
  • Photos: Wednesday in Valencia
  • Pedrosa: One thing at a time
  • Valencia Day 3: Stoner back at front
  • Scot Racing pulls out of championship
• 10 Nov.
  • Valencia Day 2: Lorenzo goes quickest
  • Photos: Tuesday in Valencia
  • Provisional 2010 calendar released
• 09 Nov.
  • Photos: Monday in Valencia
  • Valencia Day 1: Stoner on top
  • Champions pick up 2009 trophies
• 08 Nov.
  • Frustrating end of the season for Stoner
  • Pedrosa enjoys home victory
  • Small mistake dropped Lorenzo to third
  • Maximum result for Rossi at Valencia
  • Photos: Sunday in Valencia
  • Pedrosa dominates in Valencia
• 07 Nov.
  • Rossi struggles at Valencia
  • Lorenzo enjoys 16th front row of the season
  • Stoner confident at Valencia
  • Unbeatable Stoner grabs pole position at Valencia
  • Photos: Saturday in Valencia
  • Stoner also fastest in second practice Valencia
• 06 Nov.
  • Gusts affecting bike performance, says Pedrosa
  • Photos: Friday in Valencia
  • Rossi: Quite a lot of work to do
  • Lorenzo searching for home victory
  • Stoner leads Friday practice in Valencia
• 05 Nov.
  • Suppo to leave Ducati
  • Valencia extends contract to 2016
• 04 Nov.
  • Spies reveals special Valencia livery
• 03 Nov.
  • Canepa to miss season final in Valencia
  • Rossi: Now we can enjoy ourselves
  • Pedrosa determined to finish on a high
• 27 Oct.
  • Ducati test rider to become Team Manager

Homepage