Jorge Lorenzo captures Spanish MotoGP ahead of world champion Marc Marquez
Spaniard snatches home grand prix on the eve of his 28th birthday but Italian legend Valentino Rossi leads series
Jorge Lorenzo celebrated being kept on by Yamaha for next season by winning the Spanish MotoGP at Jerez on Sunday in commanding style to also give himself a special present on the eve of his 28th birthday.
The two-time world champion, winning his first MotoGP since the Japanese one last year, came home well clear of world champion Marc Marquez on a Honda delivering a perfect result for former Spanish King Juan Carlos, who was watching from the stands along with 120,000 other spectators.
It was an impressive win and I felt very good on the bike. It is an extra special win after a long time of waiting
Marquez, who rode here despite a broken pinky finger on his left hand, held off Italian legend and series leader Valentino Rossi, who had the consolation of becoming the first rider to achieve the 200 podium mark -- 15-time world champion and fellow Italian Giacomo Agostini, who was watching from the pits, is next best with 159.
Rossi retains the lead in the overall standings, he has 82 points after four races, a 15 point lead over Andrea Dovizioso with Lorenzo and Marquez 20 and 26 points adrift respectively of him.
Lorenzo, who was winning his 34th race in the category and 55th in all classes, said it had been a perfect weekend but didn’t want to speculate as to what this meant for the title race.
“We’ll enjoy this for the moment,” he said. “It was an impressive win and I felt very good on the bike.