2008 French MotoGP

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Rossi moves alongside Nieto after French MotoGP win

LE MANS, France (AFP) — Valentino Rossi won the French MotoGP here on Sunday riding a Yamaha to record his 90th career win in all categories.
The Italian moved to second equal on the all-time winners list in all categories with Angel Nieto of Spain, who then chauffeured him round the track on a victory lap dressed in leathers emblazoned with the phrase 'Bravo Valentino 90' while the exuberant Italian brandished a flag declaring '90/90'.
"To win one's 90th race is fantastic and to move alongside Angel Nieto is like a dream. It was an exceptional race for me.
"I am so happy to win two in a row (he won in Shanghai, China, previously), and it is the first time I have done that since 2006.
"We are in good shape. Yamaha did a great effort over the close season to change things round," added Rossi, who never really challenged for the title last year.
Spain's Jorge Lorenzo finished in second place and confessed that even finishing fifth here would have been a success for him after he injured his ankles in Shanghai following a fall in the qualifying session.
"I thought about the race all night," he said.
"To finish second is outstanding.
"Now it is imperative that I let my ankles recover fully for the Italy MotoGP on June 1," said Lorenzo, who was helped off his bike at the race's end.
The win enabled Rossi to take the overall lead in the standings which had previously been held by Dani Pedrosa, who finished fourth here.
Rossi, who will now take aim at overhauling the all-time leader in victories - compatriot Giacomo Agostini who recorded 122 including 68 in this version, eased home ahead of Lorenzo while American Colin Edwards was third.
Reigning champion Casey Stoner had a miserable race, experiencing huge mechanical problems with eight laps remaining and the Australian had to drive slowly to the pits to change his machine.
By that stage Rossi held a massive seven-second lead over Lorenzo while Stoner limped back into action two laps later and eventually finished 16th and last of the finishers.
Earlier 32-year-old Spanish rider Alex Debon, riding an Aprilia, had recorded his first ever success in 112 races by taking the 250cc race while 20-year-old Frenchman Mike de Meglio ended a 26 year win drought for home riders by winning the rain shortened 125 class.




Il Dottore finally matching the twelve-plus-one times world champion. Such an emotive moment. 👍
 
Fixed title.

I'm adding to the sticky, just as I did in 2003 for the F1 forum.
 
Brilliant to watch...

Rossi went in consequtive corners.. 4th/3rd/2nd/3rd/2nd.. They were riding so hard and the bikes were moving around... Fantastic to watch..

Shaping up to be one of the best seasons yet!
 
Yep, fantastic race. I enjoyed it the whole way through, some of the best racing I've seen, as usual with MotoGP. Too bad for Casey and his run of bad luck, I hope he'll have a turn-around soon, but I'm not fussed at all with Rossi winning twice in a row!

I'll have to agree that this is turning out to be one of the best seasons.
 
Lorenzo was incredible. Much respect to that kid, he’s putting up and unbelievable fight and the results are just incredible. I hope he can get back to full-fitness soon, and I really hope his fighting spirit pays off for him when the points are counted at the end of the season.
 
This is the standings after Sunday's race.

Pos. Rider Nation Team Points
1 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 97
2 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team 94
3 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team 94
4 Casey STONER AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 56
5 Colin EDWARDS USA Tech 3 Yamaha 47
6 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 42
7 Nicky HAYDEN USA Repsol Honda Team 37
8 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP 36
9 James TOSELAND GBR Tech 3 Yamaha 33
10 Shinya NAKANO JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini 28
11 John HOPKINS USA Kawasaki Racing Team 26
12 Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 25
13 Marco MELANDRI ITA Ducati Marlboro Team 24
14 Toni ELIAS SPA Alice Team 20
15 Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP 18
16 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini 11
17 Sylvain GUINTOLI FRA Alice Team 7
18 Anthony WEST AUS Kawasaki Racing Team 5
 
Sunday race results.

Pos. Rider Nation Team Points
1 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 97
2 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team 94
3 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team 94
4 Casey STONER AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 56
5 Colin EDWARDS USA Tech 3 Yamaha 47
6 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 42
7 Nicky HAYDEN USA Repsol Honda Team 37
8 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP 36
9 James TOSELAND GBR Tech 3 Yamaha 33
10 Shinya NAKANO JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini 28
11 John HOPKINS USA Kawasaki Racing Team 26
12 Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 25
13 Marco MELANDRI ITA Ducati Marlboro Team 24
14 Toni ELIAS SPA Alice Team 20
15 Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP 18
16 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini 11
17 Sylvain GUINTOLI FRA Alice Team 7
18 Anthony WEST AUS Kawasaki Racing Team 5

...isn't this the overall championship results?
 
Just chiming in to say I thought this was one of the most exciting GP races in quite some time, especially with the changing weather conditions and race strategies on one of the best MotoGP circuits in the world! 👍

I also loved the footage they showed on SPEEDtv early in the race using the camera on the back of Casey Stoner's bike showing Valentino Rossi's bike, who was right on his heels, at unbelievably low angles of attack! It was a great example of why the good doctor needs elbow pads, and how he makes it look like he is riding a 125 and not a MotoGP. :D

It was a truly brilliant drive by Rossi, especially after yet another bad start by him putting him back in eighth position, and yet quickly making one excellent pass after another, and then taking a dominating lead for much of the race. With his victory we now have practically a three way tie for the lead in the championship. 👍
 
Here are some pics I took of Rossi making his move on Stoner:

(sorry about the low quality, camera phone + small office TV is not a good combination for quality pics)

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Obviously you have to tilt your head to truly appreciate the angle of attack. The last couple shots capture the intensity as both Rossi and Stoner are giving it full throttle with their front wheels in the air and nearly making contact... :eek:


BTW: SPEEDtv will be rebroadcasting the race this Thursday early in the morning (2am EST), or click HERE for local times and availability.
 
I havnt seen a rider ride like Rossi....

dont get me wrong the others are brilliant but Rossi is just a step ahead again..
 
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