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Monday May 18, 2009

Lorenzo storms to victory as nightmare befalls Rossi

LE MANS: Spanish rider Jorge Lorenzo (pic) won the French MotoGP here yesterday just a year after he finished second despite riding with two broken ankles.

The 22-year-old – a two-time 250cc world champion – enjoyed a trouble-free ride on his Yamaha to coast home ahead of Italian Marco Melandri on a Kawasaki while pole sitter Dani Pedrosa of Spain was third on a Honda.

Lorenzo’s joy was the reverse of Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi who had a nightmare as he sought his 99th career victory but in the end trailed in 16th position without scoring a point.

That allowed Lorenzo to take over at the top of the standings where he leads Rossi by a point as well as Australia’s Casey Stoner.

“It was a crazy race,” gasped Lorenzo.

“The pivotal point came when we decided to change the tyres. After that I was riding confidently and it was easy from then on.”

For Melandri it was a surprising but welcome change of fortune after a dire season last year for the former 250cc world champion.

“It’s been a very tough time,” said the 26-year-old. I just came here to do my best and I knew the weather would be a factor in the race. It is a very, very nice day for me.”

Pedrosa was relieved to have grabbed third spot.

“I am very happy to be on the podium because I stopped to change the tyres too early. “However, I was scared on the dry tyres after racing the first lap.” — AFP

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