| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Yamaha's Spanish rider Jorge Lorenzo benefited from a crash to his nearest challenger, Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa to clinch the MotoGP world title at the Australian Grand Prix today.
Lorenzo came into this race with a 23-point lead in the world championship, and with only one race to follow in Valencia, needed to do better than Pedrosa to claim the title this weekend. Things did not start as planned though for Lorenzo as Pedrosa overtook pole position man Casey Stoner to take the lead of the race on the opening lap.
Sadly though, Pedrosa's lead was shortlived as he crashed out on just lap 2, going in too hot and losing the front end of his bike ironically in the Honda corner.
With the title in the bag, Lorenzo opted to cruise through the rest of the race finishing in a comfortable second place, 9 seconds behind local boy Casey Stoner. Briton Cal Crutchlow in the Team 3 Yamaha finished an easy third.
The win for Stoner was the perfect way for the 26-year old Aussie to signal an end to his career, many would say rather prematurely. The former world champion has been very critical of the changes that have taken place in the sport in recent years.
Seven time world champion Valentino Rossi finished the race in seventh place ahead of Ducati teammate Nicky Hayden.
- 29/10/2012 09:40 - JRM Racing snatch podium in Shanghai to end season on a high
- 28/10/2012 17:46 - Two podiums for Porsche at World Endurance Championship Season Finale
- 28/10/2012 16:59 - Toyota Racing wins again, claims title at Six Hours of Shanghai
