2009 MotoGP Championship - Round 9 - Sachsenring

Casey Stoner, Sachsenring. Photos and text courtesy BMW Motorrad, Ducati Corse, Suzuki Racing, Yamaha Racing.  Edited by webBikeWorld.

Rossi, Lorenzo and Pedrosa on Podium Again

For the second time this season, Fiat Yamaha riders Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo were embroiled in a thrilling head to head battle to the flag at the German Grand Prix in Sachsenring today.

As at Catalunya earlier this season, it was the eight-time World Champion Rossi who emerged the winner, but his young team-mate pushed him every step of the way and finished just 0.099 seconds behind, an almost identical gap to that of Catalunya.

Rossi’s 101st win means he equals Agositini’s all-time podium record of 159 in all classes.

Rossi got a brilliant start from pole, in contrast to Lorenzo beside him who slipped several places to sixth at the first split.

The 22-year-old soon made up one place however and then Randy de Puniet crashed, elevating him to fourth at the end of the first lap.  Lorenzo had a brief exchange with Andrea Dovizioso but soon dispensed with him and it was then Rossi leading from Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa and Lorenzo – the four main championship protagonists within three-quarters of a second.

On lap seven Rossi relinquished his lead to Stoner and it remained that way for the next ten laps, although the gap from the Australian to Lorenzo in third was almost nothing.

On lap 18 the Italian pulled off a brilliant pass on the brakes at the bottom of the hill into the penultimate turn to retake the lead and his team-mate followed him through, passing Stoner on the finish straight to leave the Yamaha pair lying first and second.

They quickly began to eke out a gap from their pursuers and with less than two tenths between them it was clear that they were heading towards another tense finale. Lorenzo made his move at the start of lap 26, passing his team-mate into turn one and hanging onto the lead until the second to last lap, when Rossi overtook him in the same place in what proved to be the decisive pass.

A brave attempt from Lorenzo to go around the outside of Rossi at the start of the final lap fell short and a perfect final lap from the 30-year-old sealed his fourth win of the season, leaving Lorenzo to content himself with his eighth podium this year and Pedrosa to cross the line nearly three seconds further back in third.

Rossi’s win means he stretches his lead over Lorenzo in second to 14 points, with eight rounds remaining.  The Spaniard in turn lies14 points ahead of Stoner as the paddock moves straight on to the UK for the British Grand Prix at Donington Park.

Valentino Rossi - Position: 1st Time: 41'21.769:  “I think this was a great race for everyone because there were all four leading riders of the championship, fighting very closely and all in strong form.

We knew that they would all be tough to beat today so I am very pleased about this win, I rode very well and my team worked brilliantly all weekend to find the right setting.  I had a very good start today, a great battle with Stoner early on and then after half race distance I was a little faster and really able to push at the maximum, which was great fun.

At the end it came down to another incredible battle with Lorenzo and I really had to be on top form, especially because he passed me when I wasn’t expecting it.  Luckily I was able to take him back and then I rode a perfect final lap with no mistakes.

Everything worked well today, my M1 and my Bridgestone tires, so thanks and well done to everyone.

This is my fourth win of the year and I really think that our Yamaha is a fantastic bike this season.  I think races like this are great for the sport. Now we have a small advantage in the championship and we’re going straight to Donington, one of my favorite tracks where I really hope I can win after a few bad years without a victory!”

Ducati Team Report
Ducati Marlboro Team riders Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden took fourth and eighth place respectively in the German Grand Prix with combative performances at the Sachsenring circuit in bright sunshine but cool temperatures this afternoon.

Stoner launched from the front row of the grid to chase Valentino Rossi before passing the Italian for the lead on lap seven, holding firm at the front until past mid-distance.

However, the Australian suffered with front and rear grip in the second half of the race and was forced to yield his position to Rossi, with Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa also taking advantage to complete the podium.

Starting from his best grid position of the season in fourth place Hayden was the unfortunate filling in a rider sandwich on the entry to the tight turn one, the American being forced wide and losing ten positions.

Fresh on the back of his sensational fifth place at Laguna Seca two weeks ago, Hayden again demonstrated his growing affinity with the GP9 as he instantly fought back and battled through the pack to pass six riders and claim another important points haul.

Podium German MotoGP Race, Sachsenring 2009 - July 19, 2009
1st Valentino Rossi (Yamaha);
2nd Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha);
3rd Dani Pedrosa (Honda)

Fastest Lap:  Dani Pedrosa (Honda) 1’22.126 - 160.918 Km/h

Circuit (new) Record:  Dani Pedrosa (Honda - 2009) 1’22.126 – 160.918 Km/h

2009 Pole:  Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 1’32.520 - 142.840 Km/h
Best Pole:  Casey Stoner (Ducati - 2008), 1’21.067 - 163.020 Km/h

2009 Riders World Championship - July 19, 2009
1st Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 176 points;
2nd Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) 162;
3rd Casey Stoner (Ducati) 148;
4th Dani Pedrosa (Honda) 108;
5th Colin Edwards (Yamaha) 83.

2009 Constructors World Championship - July 19, 2009
1st Yamaha (210 points);
2nd Ducati (148);
3rd Honda (139);
4th Suzuki (84);
5th Kawasaki (70)

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Back to Europe

After their American foray to Laguna Seca just ten days ago, the MotoGP circus is preparing for a return to European shores with the first of a double-header of races this weekend at the Sachsenring in Germany.

It will be the start of a tough fortnight for the riders, with this race followed immediately by the British Grand Prix at Donington.

Now at its halfway point, the MotoGP World Championship remains tight at the top but Fiat Yamaha continues to lead the way with Valentino Rossi nine points ahead of 22-year-old team-mate Jorge Lorenzo, who in turn holds an advantage of seven points over Ducati's Casey Stoner.

The wooded hills of the Sachsenring have produced some stunning racing over recent years, not least in 2006 when Rossi started from 10th to produce a master class of overtaking and lead home the closest ever finish in MotoGP, with the top four separated by just 0.307 seconds.

The 30-year-old has three other wins at the German track and last year finished an important second in torrential rain as several riders slid out.  With three wins under his belt so far this season he will be hoping for career victory number 101 this weekend, as he looks to extend his lead at the top of the standings and give himself some breathing space as the paddock goes into its summer break in two week's time.

Sachsenring: Record Lap
D. Pedrosa (Honda) 2007, 1'23.082

Sachsenring: Best Lap
C. Stoner (Ducati) 2008, 1'21.067

Grand Prix Results: Sachsenring 2008
1. C. Stoner (Ducati) 47'30.057
2. V. Rossi (Yamaha) +3.708
3. C.Vermeulen (Suzuki) +14.002

2009 MotoGP Germany Qualifying - Sachsenring - June 18, 2009

1 Valentino Rossi Yamaha ITA 1'32.520

2 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha ESP 1'33.160

3 Casey Stoner Ducati AUS 1'33.759

4 Nicky Hayden Ducati USA 1'34.404

5 Alex De Angelis Honda SMR 1'34.490

6 Randy De Puniet Honda FRA 1'34.564

7 Colin Edwards Yamaha USA 1'34.607

8 Daniel Pedrosa Honda ESP 1'34.725

9 Loris Capirossi Suzuki ITA 1'34.741

10 Mika Kallio Ducati FIN 1'34.771

11 Andrea Dovizioso Honda ITA 1'34.892

12 Chris Vermeulen Suzuki AUS 1'34.937

13 Marco Melandri Kawasaki ITA 1'34.938

14 James Toseland Yamaha GBR 1'35.005

15 Niccolo Canepa Ducati ITA 1'36.012

More:  2009 MotoGP Racing Schedule  |  2009 World Superbike Racing Schedule  |  wBW Motorcycle Racing Page (News and More Schedules)

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