Lorenzo hits back with Misano win

Added on Sunday, September 4th, 2011 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments

Jorge Lorenzo returned to the winners circle at the Misano circuit this afternoon, to score his third MotoGP victory of the 2011 season.

After Stoner’s record pole position in yesterday’s qualifying session, the Repsol Honda rider looked set to slot into the lead, however as the field rounded the first corner Lorenzo took the lead. The Yamaha rider held the position until the chequered flag came into sight to score his third victory this season.

As the first lap developed Dani Pedrosa gained ground on his Repsol Honda teammate to sneak into second place. As Stoner dropped to third place after suffering a case of fatigue the three available podium positions looked set to stay as they were.

After slipping backwards to seventh place, Marco Simoncelli climbed back to fourth place by the time the chequered flag fell. Simoncelli found himself involved in a fierce battle with Andrea Dovizioso, with the third Repsol Honda rider settling in fifth place.

Ben Spies rocketed his way to sixth place after briefly dropping to seventh. As he fought his way back through the pack he was able to secure sixth position just ahead of Valentino Rossi, with Alvaro Bautista scoring a slightly distant eighth place. Hector Barbera was able to take a ninth place finish, whilst Brit Cal Crutchlow rectified his recent bad luck to score a top ten finish in tenth. Two retirements saw Nicky Hayden’s weekend become more difficult after a crash forced him to retire, whilst Loris Capirossi returned to the pits shortly afterwards.

Stoner’s grip on the 2011 championship standings has been loosened slightly by Lorenzo’s victory, however the Australian still leads with five rounds remaining. The next round takes place at the Spanish Aragon circuit on the 18th September.

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