Aithne
08-20-2009, 12:26 PM
Valentino rossi pipped team-mate Jorge Lorenzo at the finish line in a thrilling Catalan Grand' Prix .Casey Stoner completed the final podium position, As the race began, Lorenzo, who started on pole, soon lost his lead to Rossi. Rossi led for rhe first half of the race before Lorenzo again took the lead. This brought the epic rivalry to the last lap of the grand prix, where the lead changed thrice, But Rossi, the defending champion, eventually took the lead on the last corner, in a move which looked seemingly impossible, to take victory by 0.095 seconds.
Stoner was also in a similar battle with Repsol Honda's Andrea Dovizioso, with the latter missing the podium by 0.052s. Another duel for fifth place between Capirossi of Rizla Suzuki and Dani Pedrosa of Repsol Honda eventually saw an Italian emerge in front of a Spaniard again, Capirossi crossing the line just over two seconds ahead.
Colin Edwards, Randy De Puniet, Mika Kallio and Nicky Hayden completed the top 10.
Rossi's victory in Catalunya also marked the Italian's 99th career win. The top three riders - Rossi, Lorenzo and Stoner - were all tied up in the championship table at 106.
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Stoner was also in a similar battle with Repsol Honda's Andrea Dovizioso, with the latter missing the podium by 0.052s. Another duel for fifth place between Capirossi of Rizla Suzuki and Dani Pedrosa of Repsol Honda eventually saw an Italian emerge in front of a Spaniard again, Capirossi crossing the line just over two seconds ahead.
Colin Edwards, Randy De Puniet, Mika Kallio and Nicky Hayden completed the top 10.
Rossi's victory in Catalunya also marked the Italian's 99th career win. The top three riders - Rossi, Lorenzo and Stoner - were all tied up in the championship table at 106.
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