MotoGP’s Rossi/Gibernau show came to a dramatic end on Sunday as both riders crashed out, allowing Makoto Tamada to record his first ever grand prix victory in Rio.
MotoGP’s Rossi/Gibernau show came to a dramatic end on Sunday as both riders crashed out, allowing Makoto Tamada to record his first ever grand prix victory in Rio.
Earlier, Kenny Roberts had delivered another great blow when he and his Suzuki occupied the pole position at the Jacarepagua circuit for the first time in four years.
Championship leaders Valentino Rossi and Sete Gibernau’s luck was rotten from the start. With neither of them on the front row for the first time this season, both were forced to push hard as Roberts and Max Biaggi set the early pace.
Gibernau’s attack ended on the second lap when he crashed his Honda after overtaking Rossi for fifth and the Doctor slid out of contention on the fourth lap.
As Roberts dropped back through the group, Nicky Hayden and Biaggi duelled for the lead. However, four laps from the end, a spectacular late charge by Tamada sealed his first ever MotoGP win at the same circuit where he took his first podium finish last season.
“It was a perfect race – the set-up of the bike and the tyres were at the absolute maximum, the team have done a great job and I have completed the show,” commented Tamada after the race. “This victory is dedicated to all of them and to my great friend Daijiro. I think this is the best way to honour his memory – I miss him.
With Biaggi in second place, Camel Honda secured a one-two. His move also moves him to within 13 points of leaders Rossi and Gibernau.
Nicky Hayden claimed his first podium of the season after chasing Biaggi and Tamada all the way to the line. Loris Capirossi finished fourth for Ducati and local favourite Alex Barros was unable to gain a podium finish in front of his home crowd.
Suffering from a hand injury sustained in a crash during testing on Friday, Barros finished fifth ahead of his Honda team mate Colin Edwards.
Kenny Roberts slipped back to take seventh place ahead of the Norick Abe. Shinya Nakano was ninth with Carlos Checa finishing tenth and conceding fourth place on the championship standings to Colin Edwards.