Spain’s Pedrosa back to winning ways

SACHSENRING – Spaniard Dani Pedrosa got back to winning ways for Honda yesterday when he cruised to victory in the MotoGP category at the German Grand Prix.

Pedrosa overtook pole sitter Casey Stoner early in the race and finished over ten seconds ahead of Italy’s Loris Capirossi, riding a Ducati, and US Honda rider Nicky Hayden. It ended a barren spell for the Spaniard going back to the British Grand Prix in July 2006.Pedrosa achieved his first victory in China last year after moving up to the MotoGP category but had so far failed to a the top of the podium this season.Championship rivals Stoner and Valentino Rossi both had poor races with the Australian finishing fifth after suffering problems with his Bridgestone tyres in the searing heat.Seven-time world champion Rossi crashed at the Sachsenring circuit attempting to overtake Frenchman Randy De Puniet on a corner during lap six.It was Rossi’s first retirement this season.The Italian had reignited his title bid by winning the Dutch Moto GP two weeks ago.Stoner’s championship lead has as a result increased from 21 points to 32.Earlier Japanese rider Hiroshi Aoyama of KTM won the 250cc category ahead of Finland’s Mika Kallio and Alex De Angelis of San Marino.Aoyama achieved the fourth success of his career and first this year.Championship leader Jorge Lorenzo of Spain fought back from a bad start to finish fourth and hold a 20-point advantage on De Angelis.In 125cc, Aprilia rider Gabor Talmacsi of Hungary grabbed the overall world championship lead after winning ahead of Japan’s KTN rider Tomoyoshi Koyama with Aprilia’s Hector Faubel of Spain finishing third.Nampa-ReutersIt ended a barren spell for the Spaniard going back to the British Grand Prix in July 2006.Pedrosa achieved his first victory in China last year after moving up to the MotoGP category but had so far failed to a the top of the podium this season.Championship rivals Stoner and Valentino Rossi both had poor races with the Australian finishing fifth after suffering problems with his Bridgestone tyres in the searing heat.Seven-time world champion Rossi crashed at the Sachsenring circuit attempting to overtake Frenchman Randy De Puniet on a corner during lap six.It was Rossi’s first retirement this season.The Italian had reignited his title bid by winning the Dutch Moto GP two weeks ago.Stoner’s championship lead has as a result increased from 21 points to 32.Earlier Japanese rider Hiroshi Aoyama of KTM won the 250cc category ahead of Finland’s Mika Kallio and Alex De Angelis of San Marino.Aoyama achieved the fourth success of his career and first this year.Championship leader Jorge Lorenzo of Spain fought back from a bad start to finish fourth and hold a 20-point advantage on De Angelis.In 125cc, Aprilia rider Gabor Talmacsi of Hungary grabbed the overall world championship lead after winning ahead of Japan’s KTN rider Tomoyoshi Koyama with Aprilia’s Hector Faubel of Spain finishing third.Nampa-Reuters