Jorge’s Spain triumph LORENZO FOUR IN A ROW
JORGE LORENZO reigned supreme yesterday in his home Grand Prix.
The two-time world champion made it four wins in a row after fending off Movistar Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi in Barcelona.
Spaniard Lorenzo is now one point behind leader Rossi in the title race after seven rounds.
Lorenzo said: “It was very hot and difficult to maintain the pace, and Valentino made it difficult.
“This win is very special, because every time I pushed on he responded. When I had a two-second lead, next lap he took six-tenths out of me.
“It was important not to make mistakes as, in the closing stages, he was pushing me very hard.”
Rossi started from seventh on the grid and Lorenzo took advantage, making the perfect getaway from the front row. Defending champion Marc Marquez crashed out on the third lap, but by the fourth lap Rossi was up to second and breathing down Lorenzo’s neck.
Rossi said: “I hoped and tried to catch him but starting from the third row is very difficult. When Jorge is riding like this, he is very strong.
“In the last three races I have had the pace of Jorge and am able to fight with him, so these are very important points for me.”
Dani Pedrosa took his first podium of the season in a distant third.
Andrea Iannone was fourth on the Ducati just ahead of the Monster Tech3 Yamaha of Bradley Smith.
Cal Crutchlow crashed on the opening lap. Title-chasing Andrea Dovizioso also tumbled. DANNY KENT became the first British rider since Barry Sheene in 1977 to win four Grand Prix races in a season as he opened up a 51-point lead in the Moto3 championship.