Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1542394
"Yes, very special," Pedrosa said after winning in only his fourth race. "But you know the win is alwa),s the same, ont the difference for me was that the level increased step by step, so ever),/ time it s more difficuk to win." Hayden praised his teamrnate while lamenting his own fate. He'd done all he colld, but ir wasn t enough and the sec- ond victory he so despeiatet craves remains elusive. "Yeah, I feh like I did about all I could do,'' Hayden said. "l kept going faster and faster, but it wasnt enough, Trying to put some heat on him, heat on him, but he wouldn't crack- Definitely give Dani [Pedrosa] credit, he rode a really strong race. I felt good and kept going a little bit faster. Uke you say, it wasn't enough." And Hayden found little consolation in his l3-point championshrp lead over Madboro Ducati's Loris C+irossi, eighth today. "l mean... four rounds, that's nice to pull out a 8ap like thar, but you know, it's still eart" he said. "We've got to make some improvemenE. VVhh this bike my biggest problem is ed8e grip. lt's been the same problem since I've gotten on it, lf we really want to win races and really be a threar, we're goinS to have to get this issue sorted out." MOTOGP wonrd championshrp Road nace ffai$ .-l'sf 't : \ \IF" - .!lt o vj 'ii'-b'f* t- ,;'^ 7 ,ta-. /lFi ' s+r4Ng lr + E $i# l| EI ne yourh movemen( contrnued rn Chrna. w[n V I l'x:',H-Tfl";r::,:,1"";L;[$."ii:#; 7 I ;:i:1,,'2,:#:1i5il$,ilS";H5lil-"" Weather would play a factor in the outcome of the race- Rain on Friday and again in the middle of Saturday qualifying meanr the fleld wenr into the race with untested setups and tires. The Bridgestone rid- ers seemed to suffer more. though some l'4ichelin riders also struSSled. SE f I T I I I , a I , H il I Pedrosa and Hayden weren't among them. Starting from the pole position, the 2o-year-old Spaniard got pushed to the outside at the start and gradually worked his way ro the front, Passing early leader Colin Edwards on the l0th of 22 laps and bringing Hayden with him, From rhere to the end it was a Repsol Honda battle, with Pedrosa and Hayden, a veteran at 24. taking turns lowering the lap record and pushing each other's limits. Hayden set a new record on the lSth lap, takin8 half a second out of Pedrosa's lead, but Pedrosa answered back. bettering Hayden's mark to set the outright fastest lap and drawingthe lead to near- ly a second. Hayden kept the lead under a secoM until the linal two laps when Pedrosa eased slighdy away, winning by 1.505 seconds. I \ I ta Ihe diminutive and nomally dour Spaniard celebrated with an unchar- aderistic show of emotion, slapFnng his helmet with both hands just \ after crossing the ,inish line in front of a cro /d of over 32,00O. t , MENrcAilS ARE SECOND, THND AND 0unTH, BUT lT',S PEDR0SA TAKilG ,IS MAIDEN VICTORY ;ta 0t I -.l I \ a I 1& t I I6 i?ws*c ; ?IGYI EM '6ay 14, 2.Jo6 Bv HINNY RAY ArRAi,rs PHoros BY Gor.o & Goosr ,a a i. t Pedroso celebrotes his win. ..iBp' L ?L I ( t I8 -^ ^r J> 71 D