China Shanghai Circuit. Courtesy Yamaha Racing.

More:  Qualifying (Below)  |  Race Preview (Below)

Race Results
Fiat Yamaha Team rider Valentino Rossi took an impressive victory in Shanghai today, his second at the circuit having won the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix with Yamaha in 2005.

It was Rossi's 89th career victory but his first in seven races, since Estoril last year, as well as his first on Bridgestone tires.

Rossi had looked strong from Friday morning and he was clearly in good shape for the race, but after two days of high temperatures and sunshine, heavy rain throughout the morning threatened to turn the established order on its head.

The rain ceased in the late morning however and the track began to dry out with the aid of a warm wind, meaning the race was finally declared dry.  Starting from second on the grid behind Colin Edwards, Rossi crossed the line first time in fourth but had made it back to second by the end of the third lap, passing Casey Stoner and pole-sitter Colin Edwards in the process.

His next target was Dani Pedrosa and he made his move on the Spaniard at the end of the back straight to take the lead.  From then on the Italian led to the checkered flag but it was nail-bitingly close for the majority of the remaining 17 laps, with less than half a second between them and the pair the only two lapping consistently in the 1'59s.  On lap 19 Pedrosa began to tail off and Rossi eventually took victory by 3.890 seconds, with Casey Stoner over 15 seconds back in third.

The other side of the garage had an almost equally happy day as Jorge Lorenzo shook off the pain from his fractured ankle to take a brave fourth place, something that was unimaginable after his crash on Friday morning.  Rossi is the fourth different rider to win in four races this season and the championship is wide open, with Lorenzo seven points off Pedrosa in second and Rossi just two points behind him in third.

Valentino Rossi - Position: 1, Time: 44'08.061:  "After seven races it is a great feeling to win again; I am very happy!  This is a very important result for us because above all I was able to ride exactly how I wanted from start to finish and this was great fun for me.  I had a great battle with Pedrosa and he pushed me hard and to be doing 1'59s until the end was unbelievable!

All weekend we were hoping the rain wouldn't come so when we saw it this morning we were quite disappointed, then it started to dry out so we were praying that it would dry completely; we were lucky today!  We worked very well with Bridgestone and together with their technicians we made a late tire change and it was the right choice because my tire worked very well until the end, as my times showed!

It's the first win for us with Bridgestone so this is a great moment also for this reason and I want to say thank you to them.  We were fast from Friday morning here and step by step we've found the perfect set-up and today the hard work paid off for everyone.  We've had four races and four different winners so this shows how close the championship is, now we need to keep going because our rivals are all very near.  Lorenzo did a great race today with his injuries, so this is a good day for everyone in the team.  Thank you to my team and everyone at Yamaha, it's great to be here again."

Jorge Lorenzo - Position: 4, Time: +0'22.494:  "Without a doubt, this result today is like a victory for me.  On Friday I couldn't imagine being able to ride, then yesterday it was a little bit better and then finally today I was not able just to ride, but to be competitive and enjoy myself as well! I've ridden with a lot of pain in both legs but the staff of the Clinica Mobile made it possible for me to keep going, so I want to thank them.

I lost a lot of places early on but in the second half of the race I found my rhythm and then step by step I started to move forwards; in fact I think I made more overtakes than in any race so far in this category!  I stalled the engine on the start line for the warm-up lap, which was a scary moment, but luckily I was able to restart and it wasn't a problem.  I want to say congratulations to Valentino for a great victory today as well, I think it's going to be an exciting year.

I didn't have any pain in my arms today so hopefully the recent operation has been a success.  Now I'm flying back to Barcelona to have treatment on my ankles and I will do everything I can to be back to my physical best in Le Mans.  I want to thank Michelin, because my tires were very good today, as well as Yamaha and all of my guys.  I've had a great 21st birthday!"

2008 MotoGP China - Shanghai - May 4, 2008

Circuit Length: 5451. Temp: 21. Weather: Changeable

Race 1 - 22 Laps

1 Valentino Rossi Yamaha ITA 44'8.061

2 Daniel Pedrosa Honda ESP 0'3.890

3 Casey Stoner Ducati AUS 0'15.928

4 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha ESP 0'22.494

5 Marco Melandri Ducati ITA 0'26.957

6 Nicky Hayden Honda USA 0'28.369

7 Colin Edwards Yamaha USA 0'29.780

8 Toni Elias Ducati ESP 0'30.225

9 Loris Capirossi Suzuki ITA 0'31.440

10 Shinya Nakano Honda JPN 0'35.969

11 Andrea Dovizioso Honda ITA 0'36.246

12 James Toseland Yamaha GBR 0'43.191

13 Randy De Puniet Honda FRA 0'43.442

14 John Hopkins Kawasaki USA 0'45.855

15 Sylvain Guintoli Ducati FRA 0'46.330

Best Lap: Valentino Rossi Yamaha ITA 1'59.273

Rider Standings as of May 4, 2008

1. Daniel Pedrosa Honda ESP 81

2. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha ESP 74

3. Valentino Rossi Yamaha ITA 72

4. Casey Stoner Ducati AUS 56

5. Loris Capirossi Suzuki ITA 33

6. James Toseland Yamaha GBR 33

7. Colin Edwards Yamaha USA 31

8. Nicky Hayden Honda USA 29

9. Andrea Dovizioso Honda ITA 26

10. John Hopkins Kawasaki USA 26

11. Marco Melandri Ducati ITA 23

12. Shinya Nakano Honda JPN 22

13. Toni Elias Ducati ESP 15

14. Chris Vermeulen Suzuki AUS 14

15. Randy De Puniet Honda FRA 11

Team Standings as of May 4, 2008

1. FIAT Yamaha Team 146

2. Repsol Honda Team 110

3. Ducati Marlboro Team 79

4. Tech3 Yamaha 64

5. Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 47

6. Honda Gresini 29

7. Kawasaki Racing Team 29

8. JIR Scot Team 26

9. Team Alice 19

10. Honda LCR 11

Manufacturer Standings as of May 4, 2008

1. Yamaha 90

2. Honda 81

3. Ducati 56

4. Suzuki 34

5. Kawasaki 26

Qualifying
Tech 3 Yamaha rider Colin Edwards produced a brilliant late attack to claim pole position for tomorrow's 22-lap China MotoGP clash in Shanghai.

Edwards powered his Tech 3 YZR-M1 to a best lap of 1.58.139, which makes the American the fastest rider ever to lap the challenging 5.281km circuit.

Edwards' best time comfortably secured him the third pole position of his MotoGP career with closest challenger Valentino Rossi 0.355s adrift in second. Edwards' pole position was the first for the Tech 3 team since the 2002 German MotoGP race at the Sachsenring, and secured him a third front row start in four races during his first season with the French-based squad.

Edwards' stunning performance also preserved Yamaha and Michelin's 100 per cent pole position record in 2008 as he took full advantage of a radical overnight set-up change by his team and senior Japanese engineers to help solve a grip issue that hindered his progress yesterday.

James Toseland will start from seventh on the grid after the British rider continued to make big progress in his quest to master the Shanghai circuit.  His best lap of 1.59.254 put him as high as fifth place at one stage before he dropped back to the third row. Tomorrow's race could be the first wet encounter of 2008, with weather forecasts predicting a strong chance of rain.

Colin Edwards 1st 1.58.139:  "I've got to say big thanks to my team, Yamaha and Michelin. I struggled yesterday but today it really came good.  My guys and the Japanese got together last night and they came up with a set-up scenario to get the bike working which is completely foreign to what I've been riding.  I haven't used this set-up in all my time at Yamaha, but based on the problems I was describing they suggested a plan and when I was thinking about it I was like 'do what'?"

"We were just looking for more traction because I struggled so badly in that area yesterday.  We made a big change to the bike to get some weight on the rear and it worked.  It was a great team effort and it definitely worked because when I went out this morning I was a second faster instantly.  And it felt easy because I had no issues from the front like yesterday and my comfort level went up from 50 per cent to 95 per cent.:

"My first two qualifiers weren't bad but it felt like I was playing a computer game when the shadow passes you and you are always trying to catch that shadow.  It felt like that I could see where I wanted to be but I just wasn't hammering the throttle.  So for the last tire I went into turn one and knew I just had to get in deep enough and I really hammered it round the first two corners.  I was 0.3s up just in that one section.  From there I rode a good lap but I didn't have any real moments."

"It was weird because I didn't really have to take any risks like normal to do that time.  Everything was pretty calm and collected and the Michelin qualifier is awesome.  It is going to be at tough race.  I haven't done a 59 yet on a race tire and Casey and Valentino look to be doing consistent 59.  I just got to get a good start and hang in there."

James Toseland 7th 1.59.254:   "I've had to dig deep this weekend because this is a much tougher track to master than Portugal.  It is tough learning it on race tires so to then throw the qualifiers in with the extra grip it almost makes it a completely new track again because you've got to go so much faster."

"On my first tire I was out on my second bike and we'd changed the clutch and I had a problem with the gear shifter.  I went out on my first bike on the second tire and pinned it out of the double left and had a really big moment.  My feet came off the pegs and I bit the screen so that was the end of that lap too.  I only had one tire really to make a time but without the experience of knowing how hard to push with the first two, I wasn't really up to speed.  I went out on the last tire and braked a bit early for one corner and ran a bit wide at another but these things are going to happen on a brand new track."

"I was fifth when I did my best lap but unfortunately I just dropped off the second row.  That can happen though when you don't know the track so well against this class of field.  I'm confident for tomorrow rain or shine but congratulations to Colin and the team.  He did a great job and its good for me to see Colin performing like that because it shows what the package is capable of.  That's why I can't wait to get to some tracks I know."

Rossi on Front Row
Valentino Rossi put his Fiat Yamaha M1 onto the front row of the grid for the second time this season in Shanghai today, qualifying second for tomorrow's Chinese Grand Prix.  Rossi looked to have pole position sewn up before fellow Yamaha rider Colin Edwards took his third career pole, Yamaha's fourth from four races this season.

Rossi continued in the same vein as yesterday by setting the pace in this morning's free practice and continuing to do so through most of this afternoon's session.  Three-quarters of the way through a strong flying lap put him in provisional pole position and the Italian was confident that a slight improvement with the next qualifying tire could be enough to take the front slot.

He improved again but a last-minute lap from Edwards was 0.355 seconds faster, and Rossi will now have to wait a little longer for his 50th career pole.  Meanwhile Rossi's team-mate Jorge Lorenzo stunned onlookers by qualifying fourth, despite riding with a broken left ankle and having missed the most of the day yesterday following a crash in first practice.

After qualifying on pole for his first three MotoGP races, Lorenzo's fourth is no less impressive and he makes it three Yamahas in the top four.  Tomorrow's 22-lap race gets underway at 1500 local time and a forecast of heavy rain could make for some unexpected twists and turns.

Valentino Rossi 2nd 1.58.494:  "I'm quite happy with this position; third in Estoril, second here…hopefully one better next time!  I've been fast here since Friday morning and we've worked so hard with the team and with Bridgestone lately to improve the situation with the qualifying tire, so we definitely deserve to be here."

"Today I had fun and I was able to fight with my rivals, plus I really enjoyed having the chance to ride at the maximum around this track.  When I saw 58.5 on the clock I thought that I had a chance to try for the pole, but then Colin did 58.1 and this was a bit too much for us!  Anyway it's very important to be on the front row, especially because we don't know whether it will rain or not.  Thanks to my mechanics for doing a great job, and now we've just got to hope the rain stays away!"

Jorge Lorenzo Breaks Ankle
Fiat Yamaha Team rider Jorge Lorenzo battled through the pain barrier to put in an amazing qualifying performance for tomorrow's Chinese Grand Prix, defying the odds after badly injuring himself in a crash yesterday and putting his Michelin-shod M1 on the second row.

The Mallorcan, who celebrates his 21st birthday tomorrow, fractured a bone in his left ankle and caused severe trauma to various parts of his right ankle and foot when high-siding just 11 laps into the first practice session yesterday, but he showed his spirit and determination today to qualify 4th, just over half a second off pole.

The youngster completed 21 laps in this morning's session and finished a creditable 14th.  Having missed out on two sessions yesterday, the pain was not the only problem as the team also faced a difficult task to set the bike up in very limited time and with little data to work with.  It was a painful day's work for Lorenzo but, after finding a comfortable race set-up this morning, he felt able to push as hard as his injuries allowed on both of his Michelin qualifying tires this afternoon and fourth place on the grid is a deserved result for the courageous championship leader.

Jorge Lorenzo 4th 1.58.711:   "The way I felt yesterday, I couldn't even imagine a result like this today.  In fact it was all I could do to believe that I would be able to ride at all.  This result is amazing for me, as good as my other pole positions, and it's given me a lot of confidence despite the pain.  Now I have to take care and tomorrow I will just try to do the best I can; who knows what can happen in the race?

I have a lot of pain in both feet and ankles and it's difficult to change down with the left and to change direction with the right, but I showed I am able to do it.  Yesterday's crash was big, probably the biggest of my career, but I think I was actually quite lucky not to have worse injuries.  The doctors at the clinic are working very hard to help me and now I will go back there for more treatment.  Hopefully I will be feeling better again tomorrow and we will do what we can, rain or shine!"

2008 MotoGP China - Shanghai - Qualifying - May 4, 2008

Circuit Length: 5451

1 Colin Edwards Yamaha USA 1'58.139

2 Valentino Rossi Yamaha ITA 1'58.494

3 Casey Stoner Ducati AUS 1'58.591

4 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha ESP 1'58.711

5 Daniel Pedrosa Honda ESP 1'58.855

6 Loris Capirossi Suzuki ITA 1'58.941

7 James Toseland Yamaha GBR 1'59.254

8 Chris Vermeulen Suzuki AUS 1'59.325

9 Randy De Puniet Honda FRA 1'59.357

10 Nicky Hayden Honda USA 1'59.507

11 Andrea Dovizioso Honda ITA 1'59.559

12 Marco Melandri Ducati ITA 1'59.678

13 Shinya Nakano Honda JPN 1'59.716

14 John Hopkins Kawasaki USA 1'59.740

15 Toni Elias Ducati ESP 1'59.933

Race Preview
With just three months remaining before the city of Beijing plays host to the XXIX edition of the Olympic Games, China opens its doors to an equally talented array of athletes and a similarly historic championship this weekend as the MotoGP World Championship lands in Shanghai for the fourth round of an already intriguing season.

The Fiat Yamaha Team heads for the Orient in fine spirits after a sensational start to the season, which has wielded five podiums and leadership of both the teams' and riders' standings.

Pivotal to that success is the early season form of rookie revelation Jorge Lorenzo, who has made the most successful ever start to a modern-day MotoGP career after three races.  An unbroken pole to podium record so far have taken the youngster to the top of the standings on 61 points - a tally he aims to add to in China on his 21st birthday.

A debut premier-class success in Portugal two weeks ago made Lorenzo the fifth youngest rider to achieve the feat - outshining legendary names such as Mike Hailwood and his own team-mate Valentino Rossi - and the youngest to finish on the podium at three successive races.

Having conquered Estoril on his first visit with the YZR-M1, a circuit at which he had never previously won in any class, Lorenzo can fully expect to be competitive at Shanghai, where he dominated with pole position, victory and a new lap record in the 250cc class last year, especially after undergoing successful surgery to cure a troublesome 'arm-pump' condition.

In 2005 Valentino Rossi himself made history by taking victory in the first ever MotoGP race to be held in China, which was affected by heavy rain.  The Italian was forced to retire in 2006 but he bounced back with second place last year and his focus for this weekend is to go one step higher on the podium.  Rossi is confident that his blossoming relationship with Bridgestone tires is ready to bear fruit and see him join Lorenzo, Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa on the winners' list for the season.

Combining fast straights and hard braking zones with a series of slow and difficult corners, Shanghai is not dissimilar to Estoril in terms of bike set-up, with the engineers required to find a compromised balance between nimbleness and straight-line speed.  As at any Herman Tiilke-designed circuit, horsepower is a crucial factor and Shanghai is no exception, boasting the longest straight on the calendar at an incredible 1202 meters.

Jorge Lorenzo:  "Each day I am feeling better after my operation; I feel great and I think the recovery is going very well, without problems.  I am going to China in perfect shape.  The victory in Portugal was like a big present that I had never expected, but in a way it wasn't a perfect victory because I couldn't enjoy it so much!  The pain in my arms changed the celebration but I believe the most important thing is to make sure I am fit for the future."

"I am calm because I am realizing a dream and for me the target for the season has already been reached.  Now we must continue to work like this and I have to concentrate on the next race.  I have had mixed fortunes in China - I had many problems in 2006 and I couldn't finish but last year I won and it made the championship easier because it took me to 95 points after only four races.  Shanghai is a modern track with a long straight, fast corners and big braking areas.  It is the second circuit where I've never ridden in MotoGP so I don't know what my performance will be like here but I was very comfortable at this track in 250cc, so I hope it will be the same on May 4th."

Valentino Rossi:  "After Estoril we had a test and the primary focus was tire testing with Bridgestone, working on material for Shanghai.  We found some good things and I hope that we'll be starting in good shape.  We've had three races together now and I think the last two podiums, especially in Estoril which isn't such a good track for Bridgestone, have shown that we're making good progress in our relationship and I hope that Shanghai is going to be the place where it finally all comes together."

"We're not in such a bad place in the championship and there is a very long way to go, but our rivals are very strong so we can't afford to make mistakes and we need to try to take as many points as possible from now on.  Last year in China we weren't quite able to win but this year our bike is working very well and, together with our tire package, I think we should be fighting for the victory.  The race in 2007 was very exciting I think, a long battle with Stoner; this year I hope for a similar battle with my rivals but with a different outcome!"

Shanghai: Record Lap
D.Pedrosa (Honda) 2006, 1'59.318

Shanghai: Best Lap
V.Rossi (Yamaha) 2007, 1'58.424

Grand Prix Results: Shanghai 2007
1. C.Stoner (Ducati) 44'12.891
2. V.Rossi (Yamaha) +3.036
3. J.Hopkins (Suzuki) +6.663

Jorge Lorenzo Result: Shanghai 2007
1. J. Lorenzo (SPA) Aprilia 44'17.095 (250cc)