ASSEN, Netherlands, 29 June 2003 — Spain’s Sete Gibernau put in a courageous ride in torrential rain to win the Dutch Grand Prix here yesterday and clinch his third win of the MotoGP season.
With rain lashing this circuit in the north of the country, the start had to be delayed to allow conditions to improve and it was Honda rider Gibernau who once again proved he is the king of the wet to take victory ahead of fellow riders Max Biaggi and world champion Valentino Rossi.
Gibernau, who won in South Africa and then clinched a rain-affected French Grand Prix at Le Mans in May, started yesterday’s race seventh on the grid shot into the lead and battled with Biaggi for the rest of the race.
The Spaniard had used the delay to change his tires and the ploy worked as he held off Biaggi on the treacherous track through to the flag.
Pole-sitter Loris Capirossi, on a Ducati, slipped back to 11th at one stage before recovering to take sixth spot behind Carlos Checa, who was fourth, and Olivier Jacque in fifth.
Japan’s Noriyuki Haga, on his Aprilia, had been heading for fourth place but came off his bike in the closing stages.
Biaggi said his victory chances were ruined by trying to get past Garry McCoy.
World champion Rossi admitted that he opted for caution rather than risk coming off the soaking track — a fate which befell five other riders.
Australian rider Anthony West won the 250cc on his Aprilia ahead of fellow Aprilia riders, Franco Battaini of Italy and Frenchman Sylvain Guintoli.
San Marino’s Manuel Poggiali retained the overall lead after finishing fourth while West’s victory pushed him up to eighth in the standings.
In the 125cc race, Germany’s Steve Jenkner, riding an Aprilia, took victory.
Jenkner, who started the race in third spot on the grid, came in ahead of Spanish pair Pablo Nieto in second, and Hector Barbera - both of whom were also riding Aprilias.
