MotoGP RACE REPORT: GRAND PRIX OF PORTUGAL

INDIANAPOLIS, – Jorge Lorenzo fulfilled his immense promise April 13 by winning the Portuguese Grand Prix from pole for his first career MotoGP victory.

Lorenzo, from Spain, has started on pole for each of the three races this season on his Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha/Michelin. But he finally converted that qualifying speed into the top step of the podium in shifting weather conditions at Estoril.

Dani Pedrosa, from Spain, finished second on his Repsol Honda Team Honda/Michelin, 1.817 seconds behind Lorenzo. Five-time MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi was third on the Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha/Bridgestone, 12.723 seconds behind his winning teammate.

With the victory, Lorenzo pulled into a tie with bitter rival Pedrosa atop the series standings with 61 points. Rossi is third with 47.

“I feel like I’m in heaven,” Lorenzo said. “I can’t believe it, and it’s really impossible for me to describe my feelings. To be here after just three races and at the top of the championship, as well, is something that I could never have even dreamed of.”

Two-time 250cc World Champion Lorenzo pulled off his first MotoGP victory in powerful style, completing a weekend clean sweep of pole position, fastest race lap and race win.

But the victory was far from a romp. Rossi passed Lorenzo for the lead on Lap 3 of the 28-lap race. Pedrosa then seized second from Lorenzo on Lap 11. Lorenzo unleashed his considerable speed and talent on Lap 13, passing Pedrosa for second in Turn 1 and then making a bold pass of Rossi for the lead at the chicane later that lap. Lorenzo never trailed thereafter.

Colin Edwards finished fourth on his Tech 3 Yamaha Yamaha/Michelin, while fellow American John Hopkins rounded out the top five on his Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki/Bridgestone.

It was Edwards’ best finish since he also placed fourth in the Grand Prix of Germany last July 15. Hopkins also recorded his best finish of the season, his first with Kawasaki.

2006 World Champion Nicky Hayden finished 17th after crashing on Lap 17 while running fourth on his Repsol Honda Team Honda/Michelin. American Hayden started fourth but dropped to seventh. But he started to pick off riders and chipped away time at the lead trio of Lorenzo, Pedrosa and Rossi before falling.

“You know, when you push hard, you make mistakes,” Hayden said. “It’s not a parade; you can’t just cruise around.”

In the 125cc race, American Stevie Bonsey continued his climb toward a first career podium. Second-year 125cc rider Bonsey, from Salinas, Calif., finished a career-best fourth after starting a career-best second on the DeGraaf Grand Prix Aprilia.

The next race is the Grand Prix of China on May 4 at Shanghai. The inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP is Sunday, Sept. 14 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.