Misano MotoGP: Top three thrilled to share podium with Wayne Rainey

Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner all spoke of their pride and pleasure at sharing the Misano MotoGP podium with American legend Wayne Rainey yesterday (Sunday).

Rainey was back at the San Marino circuit for the first time since he was left paralysed in an accident back in 1993.

He had made the trip to Italy to take part in Yamaha’s 50th anniversary of Grand Prix racing celebrations and after Jorge Lorenzo secured a brilliant third win of the 2011 campaign, Rainey collected the manufacturers trophy on behalf of the Japanese factory.

Lorenzo, who cut Stoner’s title lead to 35-points with five races remaining, said: “It was really special that Wayne came here after so many years and he had the opportunity to be on the podium. I know him well because I have been training on Kenny Roberts’ ranch and he is a really kind person and he always gives me good advice, so to be with him was really special.”

Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa grabbed his second runner-up spot in the space of a week and he too was honoured to be on the podium with Rainey.

The Spaniard said: “I was very happy to see him again because I met him for the first time in 2006 when I went to Laguna Seca for the first time. We had a great time together and it was a long time I didn’t see him and I was happy to see him. Maybe it was very emotional for him to come here, so I hope he had a good time and a good welcome from all of us. For me it was a pleasure to be with him.”

World Championship leader Stoner, who faded to third with chronic fatigue in the hot and humid conditions, added: “When you see Wayne go around the paddock there is immediate respect for him. It is something special for him to come back to this track after so many years and to be on the podium with him on this sort of occasion is pretty special. He’s somebody I’d have liked to sit down and ask a lot of questions to. He’s not just got a lot of experience but also a lot of good stories to tell and it would be an absolute pleasure to sit down with him one day.”

For 13 pages of coverage from the Misano MotoGP and Nurburgring WSB race, see the September 7 issue of MCN.