Rossi takes Czech win, Lorenzoland remains unclaimed
Like a legion of true believers, they were ready for the time of their idols victory. Spain's most flamboyant motorcycle racer, Jorge Lorenzo, had been setting the pace all weekend at Brno until his Yamaha team mate Valentino Rossi (some say he's quite good, you know), beat him to pole at the end of qualifying. However, it was generally accepted that Lorenzo was the man most on the pace and would take the chequered flag first.
Jorge's boys were dotted around the Brno racetrack, waiting to climb over the barriers and drive those 'Lorenzoland' banners into the sand traps. Despite leading from pole, Rossi was overtaken by Lorenzo with six laps to go and the flags were about to be unfurled. But then in an attempt to ward off a challenge by Mr Rossi, Lorenzo broke late and ditched his bike into the scenery.
The flags fell to the ground and the heads hung low as the matador left the arena.
Having a smashing time...
Lorenzo's smashed Yamaha was not the only wrecked bike left at the side of the track yesterday. Mika Kallio (standing in for a sick Casey Stoner) and Marco Melandri had a 'handbags at dawn' incident when the two collided and wrote both their bikes off. However, this is nothing compared to the 'Twat of the week' award nominee, Alvaro Bautista, with this stunning display of stunt riding gone wrong. The Spaniard, lying second in the 250cc world championship, had finished third in the 250 race and attempted a celebratory wheelie. Team owner Jorge Martinez (Triple world champ himself) was probably not too pleased to see his expensive bike trashed in such an unnecessary way. Oh well, it gave the rest of us a good laugh!
Dani Pedrosa took second and Tony Elias did a superb job to come third. As for James Toseland, he managed ninth after another difficult weekend.
I must say that the Brno circuit looked superb this weekend and it's layout provided some great racing. F1 Czech Grand Prix anyone? Plus I'm also going to post this link, as it is one of my favourite Youtube films: the Brno road circuit hosting it's last GP in 1982. Back in the days when men were men and used vans were dumped on the side of the track. So without further ado, sit back and enjoy Mang vs Lavado and Wimmer!
