The Repsol riders dominate the race, with Stoner first and Pedrosa second. Bad luck for Andrea Dovizioso, who crashed in the first lap. The Repsol Honda Team takes its 100th victory.
The Aragon Grand Prix was the scene of a very special day for the Repsol Honda Team, as it gathered its 100th victory thanks to the clear dominion shown by Casey Stoner on this round. Wearing the design created by Spanish designer David Delfín for this occasion, the Australian took the first step of the podium accompanied by his team mate Dani Pedrosa, who was second. For Andrea Dovizioso the race did not last a whole lap, as he crashed in the second corner.
The day was to be a big party at the Repsol Honda Team box, specially decorated for the third round of the season taking place in Spain. With the bikes and overalls of Stoner, Pedrosa and Dovizioso showing a spectacular design by Davidelfin, the Repsol riders started from the first row with Pedrosa taking the lead in the first braking point from Stoner, who also saw Spies overtaking him before reaching the second corner. Nevertheless, the Australian surpassed him just a few corners later and took the second place on his way to catch Dani Pedrosa, overtaking him before the end of the first lap.
A first lap that Andrea Dovizioso was not able to finish, as he crashed in the second corner. The Italian started from fifth place and, after the first corner, which is always complicated, Nicky Hayden forced him to take the second corner on the outside. Taking the corner on the dirty part of the track, the steering was blocked and he was not able to avoid the crash.
From that moment on, there were no more troubles in the race for Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa, who progressed steadily on their way to another 1-2, the fifth of the season for the Repsol Honda Team riders. Stoner increased his advantage over Pedrosa tenth after tenth and the Spaniard did the same over their rivals, until they crossed the Finish line in the first two positions with a comfortable advantage over the rest. With this result, the Repsol Honda Team reaches the significant number of 100 victories in the Motorcycling World Championship.
A feat that also allows Casey Stoner to increase his lead on top of the overall standings of the Motorcycling World Championship, which is now of 44 points over Jorge Lorenzo. Dani Pedrosa, fourth, reduces to 15 his difference to the third position, which is still for Andrea Dovizioso. The next round of the Continental Circus will be the Japanese Grand Prix, next October 2nd, in Motegi.
Dani Pedrosa >> Audio >> Audio (cat)
2nd at 8.162 sec.
“We already saw in practice that Casey [Stoner] was very fast here and it was also like this in the race. I was loosing some tenths in the first sector and I was unable to reduce the gap in the other parts of the lap. The second half of the race I was sliding all the time and I had some fun, but it was a shame not to be closer to Casey, I had many problems with the rear tyre for the whole race. My priority was to control the gap to Spies and Jorge [Lorenzo] in the final laps and get another podium. We’ve been second in the last three races, which is not so bad, but we want to keep improving in the coming races”.
Andrea Dovizioso >> Audio
Fall
“I made a small but fast slide at the first right turn, all the weight went on the front, I wasn’t able to control the bike and I immediately lost it as the front tyre was still not at temperature. It’s so disappointing to see your race over on turn two of the first lap after all the hard work done during the race weekend. This morning we struggled during the warm up on used tyres and of course a bad session can affect you slightly, but at the start I was 100% focused and motivated for the race. It’s a pity because we had the pace to fight for the podium and the team did a good job. Leaving Aragon without scoring any points is also so bad for the Championship. We are still third with fifteen points advantage over Dani [Pedrosa], but now we need to return on the podium and have good results. Last year we had a strong end of the season, especially in Japan and Malaysia, so I look forward to the next GPs”.
Casey Stoner >> Audio
1st – 42:17.427
“Before the race everyone was a little cautious with the wind picking up after the morning warm up session and conditions being a lot different to those we have seen all weekend. This was on our mind and also warming the hard tyres to makes sure everything was good for the beginning of the race. Our start was pretty average, I pulled to the left a little on the start and managed to avoid hitting Dani [Pedrosa] but Ben [Spies] came around the outside and I ended up third or fourth going into turn one, but from there we were able to settle down and feel pretty comfortable with the bike. I wanted to get to the front as soon as possible as the bike has been working perfect all weekend and it was our race to lose, so I wanted to try and get out in front and pull a gap. I passed Dani as soon as I could and tried to pull that gap, Dani kept with me for the first few laps but slowly I was able to push and put in a gap and from there manage the race. I think everyone was struggling with tyres to some degree but the bike was fantastic and I don’t mind the bike when it slides around a little! A big, big thank you to the whole team and to take this hundredth win for Repsol Honda is something special”.
