After yesterday`s storm, and with light rain just after the start of the 250cc race, doubts about the weather grew at the Sachsenring in the last few minutes before the race in the top category. However, at exactly 2 o`clock the riders were underway and the race was held in sunshine. The Repsol Honda Team rider Dani Pedrosa finished on the third step of the podium but his teammate Andrea Dovizioso was not so lucky and five laps from the end had to retire to the pits with tyre problems.
Once again when the race started Dani Pedrosa showed that he is the best around when it comes to getting away quickly. Pedrosa started from the third row but reached the first corner in 2nd position taking a line along the centre of the track and managing to avoid any problems with the others in front of him, he then tucked in behind Valentino Rossi. From that moment on the four best riders in the category so far this year got away from the rest of the field, opening up a gap of six seconds. And so the race was between these four riders in top form.
Whilst Rossi stayed in the lead Pedrosa was overtaken first by Casey Stoner and then by Lorenzo, who after a bad start where he had to battle it out with Andrea Dovizioso on the first few laps, made contact with Dani and then overtook him on lap nine. Pedrosa was having problems with the grip on his front tyre and fell to the back of this leading group of four and at one point was one second behind his rivals, but always close behind them and never losing touch with them.
Behind him Andrea Dovizioso, who had also had a good start was 5th at the end of the first lap, was experiencing serious problems with the front tyre. Something that in the end stopped him from finishing 5th and in fact made him retire, and so Dovizioso`s race in Germany ended early after having put in a good performance.
At the front Stoner, who had moved into the lead, had to make way after constant attacks from the two Yamaha riders, Rossi & Lorenzo, and he fell back to 4th when he was overtaken by Pedrosa, who had not given up hope at any time. The Spanish Repsol Honda Team rider could do little to participate in the final battle for the victory and had to make do with 3rd position, crossing the finishing line just three seconds behind the first two. In the end the winner was the Italian Valentino Rossi.
Dani Pedrosa, 3º a 2.899 secs >> Audio
“I’m pleased to be on the podium, and finishing this close to the leaders proves that our win at the last race wasn’t by chance. I made a very good start and in the first few laps I was comfortable behind Valentino. On about lap six or seven though I had a big moment in the last corner and almost crashed, so after that I slowed down a little and dropped back to fourth. With a slightly slower pace I felt the feedback coming back and towards the end of the race I was able to push hard again. I got past Casey and tried to catch the leaders but by this time I was a bit too far behind. Third place is a good result, but we were ready to fight for the win at this circuit so it looks like we still have a little bit of work to do. The team is in good shape though and we’re making progress all the time, so I’m confident we can continue to challenge for better results and preferably for wins. Donington is next and I’m looking forward to it. Let’s hope we can have an even better race there”.
Andrea Dovizioso, retired >> Audio
“I’m pleased to be on the podium, and finishing this close to the leaders proves that our win at the last race wasn’t by chance. I made a very good start and in the first few laps I was comfortable behind Valentino. On about lap six or seven though I had a big moment in the last corner and almost crashed, so after that I slowed down a little and dropped back to fourth. With a slightly slower pace I felt the feedback coming back and towards the end of the race I was able to push hard again. I got past Casey and tried to catch the leaders but by this time I was a bit too far behind. Third place is a good result, but we were ready to fight for the win at this circuit so it looks like we still have a little bit of work to do. The team is in good shape though and we’re making progress all the time, so I’m confident we can continue to challenge for better results and preferably for wins. Donington is next and I’m looking forward to it. Let’s hope we can have an even better race there.”
