Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo has moved 38 points in the race for the 2012 Moto GP drivers’ championship after taking out the San Marino Grand Prix on Sunday.
The Spaniard’s lead at the top of the standings was boosted by the failure of chasing pair Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner to complete the race.
Pedrosa had a nightmare GP after brake problems at the start forced him to start from the back of the grid, before being hit on the opening lap to crash out.
The 2010 champion Lorenzo, who won the GP ahead of Ducati’s Valentino Rossi and Honda’s Alvaro Bautista, told reporters afterwards: “To be honest I couldn’t see the board very clearly and I thought Bautista was out not Pedrosa.
“It is bad luck for Honda but a great result for us. I am very happy to finally have the luck come down on our side.”
With five races remaining, Pedrosa is looking likely for the crown with the next race at Aragon in Spain on September 30.