MOTOGP 2008: LE MANS RESULT, ROSSI EQUALS NIETO’s RECORD
The Le Mans circuit saw another brilliant MotoGP race in which The Doctor ‘Rossi’ equalled Angel Nieto’s record of 90 career victories by winning the race. It was an all Yamaha podium finish, with Jorge Lorenzo of FIAT Yamaha coming in second, riding with a broken ankle and other injuries. It was quite a sight to see him sitting on the podium on a chair. Colin Edwards of Tech 3 Yamaha Racing Team came in third.
Jump down for race results and championship points standing.
The race was enthralling as usual with Stoner leading the race for quite a few laps before Rossi overtook him. The last few laps were anxious because of the drizzle with all the teams getting ready in the pits with wet weather tyres. Fortunately it wasn’t required as the rain wasn’t strong enough, with the track remaining relatively dry. The rain did hamper the progress of Dani Pedrosa who was having a very good race in second position until the rain started. Lorenzo overtook him brilliantly leaning in a corner, taking the inside line on a wetish track. The race ended in an unusual way for Kawasaki racing rider, John Hopkins. He was forced to retire after his chain drive broke in the middle of the race, leaving the chain behind on the circuit.
Rossi was at his usual best and sat behind Nieto riding on the Yamaha bike with a flag in his hand which said “90 + 90″ signifying 90 career victories for both riders, much to the delight of all the MotoGP fans present at the circuit.
Here is the confirmation of Sunday’s MotoGP Le Mans race results:
1. Valentino Rossi (Fiat Yamaha Team) 44′30.799
2. Jorge Lorenzo (Fiat Yamaha Team) + 4.997
3. Colin Edwards (Tech 3 Yamaha) + 6.805
4. Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) + 10.157
5. Chris Vermeulen (Rizla Suzuki) + 21.762
6. Andrea Dovizioso (JiR Team Scot MotoGP) + 22.395
7. Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) + 27.806
8. Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda) + 27.995
9. Randy De Puniet (LCR Honda MotoGP) + 29.344
10. Shinya Nakano (San Carlo Honda Gresini) + 30.822
11. Toni Elias (Alice Team) + 35.154
12. Alex De Angelis (San Carlo Honda Gresini) + 36.216
13. Sylvain Guintoli (Alice Team) + 52.038
14. Anthony West (Kawasaki Racing) + 1′29.307
15. Marco Melandri (Ducati Marlboro) 1 Lap
16. Casey Stoner (Ducati Marlboro) 2 Lap
DNF John Hopkins (Kawasaki Racing) 12 Lap
DNF James Toseland (Tech 3 Yamaha) 26 Lap
MotoGP Season 2008 Championship Points Standings:
1. Valentino Rossi - 97
2. Jorge Lorenzo - 94
3. Dani Pedrosa - 94
4. Casey Stoner - 56
5. Colin Edwards - 47
6. Loris Capirossi - 42
7. Nicky Hayden - 37
8. Andrea Dovizioso - 36
9. James Toseland - 33
10. Shinya Nakano - 28
One Person has left comments on this post
I know it is boring when one person dominates a sport, but I am almost irrationally a fan of Valentino Rossi. After Wayne Rainey he is the greatest rider in Motogp, in my opinion. I say this without any disrespect to Mick Doohan, without a doubt an all time Motogp great. Rainey won on a Yamaha which was considered to by speedwise inferior to Honda because it had a more power sapping twin crank engine rather than the single crank engine that Honda used. Rossi walked into a Yamaha camp where races were not won for years, let alone world championships. We know how he transformed Yamaha straightaway into a world championship winning team. He deserves another world title. Hope he wins it.