British MotoGP: Braking blunder costs Jorge Lorenzo

Jorge Lorenzo’s world title hopes suffered a big setback at Donington Park yesterday when the Spaniard crashed out of the lead in the British MotoGP race.

Having passed Andrea Dovizioso on lap five at Redgate, Lorenzo looked comfortable at the front of the pack as he chased a third win in 2009.

But with Fiat Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi exerting pressure from second place, the 22-year-old paid the price for a big braking mistake at Goddards on lap nine.

Lorenzo’s front tyre touched a painted white line as he braked and he immediately lost the front.

His bike slid for several metres into protective straw bales but he was unable to continue with a damaged handlebar and fairing.

The error leaves Lorenzo 25-points adrift of Rossi, who also crashed out but was able to continue with his YZR-M1 relatively undamaged.

Lorenzo, who now hasn’t won for the last five races while he’s trying to negotiate a bumper pay deal with Yamaha, said: “I got a good start and the first few laps went well, I was feeling quite comfortable in the lead.

“Unfortunately on the final corner of the ninth lap I made a small mistake, got my line wrong and touched the white line and there was nothing I could do; it was very slippery.

“I was okay and wanted to carry on but my bike was too badly damaged.

“Of course I’m sad and disappointed but this is racing and these feelings don’t help, you just have to learn from a mistake like this and look forwards.

“Valentino was lucky that he could continue after his crash, but it wasn’t our day.”

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