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Jorge Lorenzo makes his point - Source: Reuters -
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Spain's Jorge Lorenzo led a Yamaha one-two by powering to
victory over MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi in the Japanese
Grand Prix on Sunday.
Lorenzo's second win since moving up from 250cc last year gave him
a one-point lead over Rossi in the world championship
standings.
The 21-year-old, who had been suffering with a cold in the build-up
to the race at Motegi's Twin Ring circuit, has 41 points to the
Italian's 40 after two rounds.
Rossi began on pole after Saturday's qualifying had been washed out
by rain and combined practice times used to determine grid
positions.
However, Lorenzo roared past the six-times premier-class world
champion on lap nine and finished the 24-lap race in 43 minutes
47.238 seconds, 1.304 seconds ahead of Rossi.
It was Lorenzo's second MotoGP win following his maiden triumph in
Portugal last year and gave him a perfect boost before his home
race at Jerez next weekend.
"It was a difficult race," Lorenzo told reporters after planting a
flag reading 'Lorenzo's Land' in the gravel on his victory
lap.
"I didn't have a good start, but then I picked up the pace and
passed Valentino. I opened a little gap but he was pushing me very
hard so I had to ride to my limit to get the victory."
Honda's Dani Pedrosa, who rocketed from 11th on the grid to
second at the end of the first lap, took third place following a
see-saw battle with Rossi for second.
"It was a very physical race," said Rossi. "I made a great start in
the beginning but at one part of the race I was not able to ride
like I wanted.
"I had some problems and I was not able to ride fast enough to
pull away. After I fell behind Jorge I was battling with
Dani.
"In the last part of the race I was able to pick up my pace and
come back but unfortunately Lorenzo was too far ahead.
"Second place is not a victory but 20 points is important for the
championship."
Ducati's 2007 world champion Casey Stoner, who won the
season-opener in Qatar earlier this month, finished fourth after
struggling with front brake trouble.
The Australian had a poor start from second but is only three
points behind Lorenzo in the riders' standings on 38.
