The 2009 World Championship race is now wide open following Sunday at the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix. Jorge Lorenzo taking a superb chequered flag as rival and colleague Valentino Rossi faile dto cross the lin for the first tim this season.
Lorenzo finished over nine seconds in front cutting Rossi's lead at the top of the riders table by 25 points.With only five races remaining in the Championship, the Spaniard is only 25 points behind the Italian and looking in good form.
Behind Lorenzo in second place was San Marino's Alex de Angelis on the San Carlo Honda Gresini, who did himself no harm to remain in MotoGP next season with his first ever top three finish.
Nicky Hayden also turned in a quality ride on the Ducati motorcycle, after starting from sixth on the grid. The American rider seeing off a stiff challenge from Italian, Andrea Dovizioso, the man who took his place in the Repsol Honda team and leaving him having to settle for fouth spot.
Championship leader Valentino Rossi ,anaged to damage his Fiat Yamaha bike on lap nine while duelling with Lorenzo, although remounting after hitting the ground, his
retirement came shortly afterwards when it bacame apparent the bike was not going to finish the race. It was the first time Rossi has gone out of a race since Valencia in 2007.
Earlier, race leader Dani Pedrosa showed his heroics after crashing his repsol Honda on the fourth lap. The Spaniard picking up his motorcycle and rejoing in last place, and managing to finish in 10th position.
Also finishing in a creditable position was James Toseland on the Monster Yamaha Tech 3, with a sixth position equaling his best ever MotoGP result.
Another great result went to Pramac Racing's temporary replacement rider Aleix Espargaró who secured three points in 13th place on his first ever MotoGP race.