Fiat Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo clinched the 2010
MotoGP World Championship on a day that saw
Valentino Rossi return to winning ways in Malaysia.
Third place for Lorenzo - his thirteenth podium from
fifteen races so far this year - was enough to make
him only the second Spanish rider ever to win the
premier-class crown. Rossi meanwhile put on one of
the displays of his career after dropping to 11th at
the start, taking his 46th win for Yamaha on the
number 46 M1.
Lorenzo got a brilliant start from
pole and set off in front with Andrea Dovizioso in tow,
whilst Rossi, starting sixth, slipped right back through
the field in the charge to turn one. A few corners were
enough to let the Italian know that all was not lost
today however and he quickly began to pick off his
competitors, scything through the field to make it up to
third by just the fourth lap.
By now Dovizioso was putting pressure
on Lorenzo and on lap nine the Spaniard gave way to the
Italian, knowing that finishing safely was more
important than the winner's laurels today. Next time
around Rossi passed his team-mate and set off after his
compatriot, despatching Dovizioso in turn at exactly the
same point on the next lap. Dovizioso mounted one more
challenge four laps from the end but Rossi, still the
reigning World Champion for a few more minutes, was
determined to stand on top of the podium and eventually
crossed the line 0.244 seconds ahead. The win moves
Rossi up to third in the championship, one point ahead
of Casey Stoner.
It was Lorenzo's day however and
third place for the 23-year-old was enough to seal him
an emotional first premier-class title to add to his two
250cc crowns. It was a special moment for the Mallorcan,
who has won seven races this year and finished off the
podium only twice in a remarkable display of consistency
that shows him to be a deserving champion.
Jorge Lorenzo
"This is a dream come true for me today, I can't really
believe it yet; I need five minutes on my own just to
relax, enjoy the quiet and take in what I have done!
This is something I have always wanted and something
I've dreamed of my whole life, so it is the most
incredible moment for me. It is difficult to find the
words to thank everyone, I am just so happy, but I have
to say thank you to Yamaha, my team and everyone who has
made this happen. I started very well today, I didn't
lose any positions but then Andrea and Valentino came
past me and I wasn't riding as well as I could have, so
I didn't want to push too much. Anyway I knew that
winning the race wasn't the most important thing this
time. I had to just put myself on autopilot and get the
points I needed. Now we can relax and enjoy the last
three races of the championship, but first of all we are
looking forward to celebrating tonight!"
Valentino Rossi
"This is a wonderful moment for me, I am so happy to win
like this and take my 46th win with Yamaha on ‘my' M1.
It was one of my worst starts and for a moment I was
really worried, but within a few corners I understood
that I could go for it, because my bike felt great today
thanks to a small change we made in warm-up, Jeremy's
idea really worked! I rode so well and it was a
fantastic race, one of the best of my career I think. I
wanted this 46th win so much because as everyone knows
it's a special number for me! Thanks to my team because
everyone worked so hard this weekend and I think this is
a great repayment for everyone. To win like this, from
11th at the first corner, is a great feeling. Finally I
want to say congratulations to Yamaha and to Jorge; he
has been fast all season, at all tracks and in all
conditions and he deserves to be the world champion."
Wilco Zeelenberg -
Team Manager, Lorenzo
"This is a wonderful day for our team and I can't
believe what an amazing first year I have had with Jorge
in MotoGP! Jorge has proven over and over that he is a
winner and our tactics this season - to always go for
the podium - have paid off and here we are, World
Champions! As usual Jorge was clever today and he knew
that he had to be careful, as he has been many times
this season, and it was the right move. He has won seven
races and been on the podium many more so it really has
been a wonderful season. Thank you to everyone for
working so hard and well done to Jorge."
Davide Brivio -
Team Manager, Rossi
"What a race! It was a fantastic race and great weekend
because we had a difficult day yesterday and could only
qualify sixth, but the team did a great job to change
the bike and Valentino felt very comfortable in the
race. He rode very well, making the fastest lap in the
race and coming from 11th position and 2.5 seconds down
on the leaders on the first lap. This milestone 46th win
was a great way to celebrate Valentino's amazing time
with Yamaha. It's a wonderful day for Yamaha all round
because Jorge is the World Champion so we say
congratulations to him, he's been very strong this year.
All of our team are very happy today! Now we're looking
forward to Australia, another great track for Valentino,
and we hope his victories are not over with yet with
Yamaha."
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