Pedrosa sneaks win at Estoril

Added on Sunday, May 1st, 2011 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments

Dani Pedrosa scored victory at Estoril this afternoon, after claiming the position in the closing stages of this third round.

Starting from pole position, Jorge Lorenzo held his control at the head of the field around turn one, as chaos ensued behind. Marco Simoncelli narrowly missed out on pole position yesterday, however managed to start from second on the grid. As the field weaved into the first few turns on the opening lap, Simoncelli was sent tumbling from his San Carlo Honda Gresini, moments before Hector Barbera echoed this.

With two retirements before the end of the first lap, the remaining riders settled into their own race. Lorenzo and second placed Pedrosa gradually edged away from the chasing pack, whilst Casey Stoner slotted into a strong third place.

Behind, Valentino Rossi enjoyed a storming start to sit fourth on the first lap after starting ninth on the grid. Determined to secure his best finish of the 2011 season so far, Rossi held his own in fourth, whilst having to defend from a chasing Andrea Dovizioso.

As the race ticked downwards towards the chequered flag, it looked as though Lorenzo would be adding another win to his tally. However within touching distance of the end, Pedrosa found a way passed, after harrassing the Yamaha rider for the full distance.

Pedrosa eventually crossed the line at the head of the field, to take honours in this third round, with Lorenzo second. Stoner held on to his quiet third polace to complete the podium whilst the excitement mounted behind. After running fourth for the duration, Rossi lost out to a persistent Dovizioso across the finish line, demoting the Ducati ace to fifth.

Sixth place went the way of Colin Edwards, with Hiroshi Aoyama seventh and Cal Crutchlow in a strong eighth place. Ncky Hayden and Randy De Puniet completed the top ten, with just three more riders taking the chequered flag.

The next round of the MotoGP championship takes place over the weekend of 14-15th May, at the world renowned Le Mans circuit.

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