MotoGP 2009: Best race

It’s already being hailed as the greatest last lap in history and one of the most thrilling MotoGP races witnessed in living memory.

And there is no doubt that June’s unforgettable Catalunya race will undeniably stand out as one of the landmark victories in Rossi’s illustrious career after he produced a sensational overtake to inflict home heartbreak on Lorenzo.

Inseparable for just over 43 minutes of pulsating action, Rossi stunned Lorenzo with an audacious but brilliant overtake at the last corner.

The bold move was the fourth time Rossi and Lorenzo had passed each other on the last lap alone.

And Rossi’s decisive move was to slow down to overtake Lorenzo at the final corner!
Aussie crew chief Jerry Burgess said: “He was a gear lower than he normally was so he could get good drive out of the final corner.

“He was in second instead of third. He was also significantly slower. Although the pass looked dynamically fast, with the corner speed being slower he could tighten the line, pick the bike up and accelerate towards the line. So he not only had the pass on Jorge but a bit better acceleration to the line. In the corner he was 6mph slower than before. It was a last chance tactic and that’s it.”