2009 Donington MotoGP Race Result - Dry And Drizzle Throws Up Strange Result

By David Emmett | Sun, 26/07/2009 - 15:22

Result and summary of the MotoGP race at Donington:

Andrea Dovizioso finally got on the podium at Donington, and he did so in style, taking a well-earned victory in treacherous conditions. The race was declared wet from the beginning, and turned into a tag team battle between the Fiat Yamaha team and the Repsol Honda team in the early laps, with Toni Elias thrown in for good measure. But as the drizzle came and went, the mistakes started to appear.

First to fall was Toni Elias, just touching a kerb, then on lap 9, Jorge Lorenzo crashed out of the lead after touching a white line braking for Goddards. With Lorenzo gone and Pedrosa dropping through the field, the race was left to Valentino Rossi and Andrea Dovizioso. Rossi looked to have the upper hand, though Dovizoso was pushing him hard, until the Fiat Yamaha rider crashed on lap 20, going down at the Fogarty Esses. The Italian rejoined, but got swamped by a group fighting over 7th.

Dovizioso went on to claim victory unchallenged, taking his maiden win in the class. The rest of the podium was decided on an epic battle between Colin Edwards and Randy de Puniet, the Texan finally winning out on the last lap. The race featured a delighted podium.

Valentino Rossi further increased his grip on the championship, fighting his way through the field to take 5th place, while his title rivals scored very badly indeed. Jorge Lorenzo crashed out, and got a DNF, Dani Pedrosa struggled as track conditions got more difficult, dropping to 9th, while Casey Stoner came in 14th, the gamble by Ducati to go out on wet tires in the hope the rain would intensify not paying off.

Andrea Dovizioso at Donington

Results 

Pos. No. Rider Manufacturer Time Diff
1 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO HONDA 48'26.267  
2 5 Colin EDWARDS YAMAHA 48'27.627 1.360
3 14 Randy DE PUNIET HONDA 48'27.867 1.600
4 15 Alex DE ANGELIS HONDA 48'35.225 8.958
5 46 Valentino ROSSI YAMAHA 48'47.889 21.622
6 52 James TOSELAND YAMAHA 48'48.732 22.465
7 33 Marco MELANDRI KAWASAKI 49'01.551 35.284
8 88 Niccolo CANEPA DUCATI 49'05.036 38.769
9 3 Dani PEDROSA HONDA 49'08.379 42.112
10 36 Mika KALLIO DUCATI 49'12.112 45.845
11 65 Loris CAPIROSSI SUZUKI 49'19.457 53.190
12 41 Gabor TALMACSI HONDA 49'38.582 1'12.315
13 7 Chris VERMEULEN SUZUKI 49'46.665 1'20.398
14 27 Casey STONER DUCATI 49'25.241 1 lap
15 69 Nicky HAYDEN DUCATI 49'43.835 1 lap
Not Classified
  99 Jorge LORENZO YAMAHA 12'33.642 22 laps
  24 Toni ELIAS HONDA 11'02.391 23 laps
2009
10
MotoGP
Donington, Great Britain
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Comments

Despite the conditions today when Ducati's top rider to finish is Niccolo Canepa in 8th they have a problem. And during qualifying on Eurosport the guys were saying that this should be Edwards last year in MotoGP but there needs to be a Brit rider. Too bad for Toseland that Edwards is gonna do everything he can to beat him in every way possible.

Good for Dovizioso. That guy really deserved a win. I did hope Edwards would get him in the end because I'd like to see him win at least one race in MotoGP.
A strangely satisfying race.

I don't see where it would be wise to let Edwards go he has been the best Satellite rider and is even ahead of Dovi right now. He has never challenged for the Championship, but he is a consistantly solid rider and good entertainment what more could you want from a Satellite guy?

What a GREAT ride for Dovizioso. He deserved it, indeed. He pulled a Rossi, pushing Rossi to a stupid mistake, and burned it up 'til the end, always with any answer for any and all comers. I am SO thrilled for him! CONGRATS!!!

On a slightly different note: Somehow or another, Rossi managed to commit a rookie-style error, only to then put on an absolutely god-like performance of truly EPIC proportions. Nobody but NOBODY in this universe (that I know of) crashes, rejoins, adjusts/repairs the bike while racing/catching up, then passes 6 very capable riders to end up rather high in the points, further pulling away from the championship leaders. It managed to be his most painfully silly ride, yet one of the most impressive of the season thus far.

Only the GOAT...

OK, Lorenzo is holding out for Rossi-style money for next year?

Somebody better explain to him that yesterday is a prime example why Rossi is paid the way he is. And until somebody else can match that kind of performance, nobody's going to be banking checks that big.