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GP Donington: Aoyama extend 250 lead

In MotoGP

27 luglio 2009

Hiroshi Aoyama (Scot Honda) proved his talent and intelligence with a brilliant 250 win in tricky conditions. The race started on a drying track, all but one of the 26 starters using rain tyres. Aoyama took the lead on the first lap at the chicane and from there he steadily established a 6.7 second lead. But as the track dried, the rain tyres started to deteriorate, with some riders choosing to pit for slicks. Aoyama meanwhile came under pressure from title rival Alvaro Bautista (Aprilia), who closed the gap to 2.3 seconds at one point. The Japanese star handled the pressure brilliantly to take the win by almost six seconds. Aoyama’s third victory of the year extends his series lead to 15 points over Bautista with seven races to go.

Raffaele De Rosa (Scot Honda) rode another great race, scoring his seventh consecutive top-ten finish. The 250 rookie has only finished outside the top ten once this year, in Japan where he was 12th. He is also one of only three 250 riders to have scored points in every race so far.

Hector Faubel (Valencia CF-Honda SAG) came very close to crashing on the very first lap and decided then and there that he wanted to make sure he scored some points in the sketchy conditions. He finished the race in tenth place.

Shoya Tomizawa (Team CIP Honda) bounced back from a fall to score the final World Championship point in 15th position.

Valentin Debise (Team CIP Honda) was one of several riders who swapped to slicks, so he was one of the fastest men on the track in the final stages, passing Bautista to unlap himself and following Aoyama over the line. His final result was 19th place. Bastien Chesaux (Racing Team Germany Honda) also pitted for slicks and finished 22nd.

Ratthapark Wilairot (Thai Honda PTT-SAG) was not able to capitalise on his second row starting position. Wilairot was running in 14th place when he ran into quick-shift problems eventually deciding to retire from the action with nine laps remaining in the 27 laps race.

Hiroshi Aoyama (Scot Honda) race winner, said:
“It was difficult because the track quickly dried out, but we had chosen rain tyres. I got a good start, got into the lead and could push hard to find my rhythm. I made a good advantage on the other guys, so I felt good, but by mid-race my tyres were completely finished, so it became difficult. I had to watch my pit board to see the gap to Alvaro and control the gap. I felt comfortable on the bike and I could keep my rhythm, even though the tyres were destroyed”

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