Honda Movistar :
SETE GIBERNAU (2nd):
“The team have done a great job and I had a good feeling with the bike today. I set a good pace over the opening laps which gave me a couple of tenths advantage and allowed me to lead for the majority of the race. At eight laps to go the left side was sliding too much and I wasn’t able to maintain my pace. I’m disappointed for the fans, who have given me great support all weekend, but I’m sure they enjoyed the excitement in the race and a great show all round.”
MARCO MELANDRI (3rd):
“It was a tough but incredible race for me. I got a good start and tried to stay with the lead riders over the opening laps. I had a good pace and even managed to lead for a few laps but I ran wide when Nicky Hayden passed me and Barros ! also came through to send me back to fifth place. The fight with Barros and Nicky for third meant that I lost contact with the front two and I was never able to make the ground up. Even so, I am really happy with third place. I won a personal battle today – my race pace was much better compared to Mugello and the podium confirms that we are getting constantly better. I want to say a special thanks to the whole team, to Fausto and to Michelin, that has helped me a lot in the right tyre choice.”
Yamaha :
Valentino ROSSI (1er en 43’16.487)
« Le premier tour fut une dure bataille avec pas mal de pilotes fous, chacun d’entre eux voulant prendre la tête de la course et ce fut assez ‘fun’. Gibernau imprima une cadence rapide m’obligeant à me donner à 100% pour le suivre. J’eus quelques problèmes avec le côté droit de mon pneu arrière assez tôt, mais Sete commença à glisser lui aussi.
En fin de course ce fut difficile, mais la moto était si bien dans les virages et si agréable à piloter. Réaliser le meilleur temps trois tours avant la fin sur une telle piste, deux secondes plus vite que l’an passé démontre le travail fantastique réalisé par Michelin sur l’endurance des pneus. J’étais un peu inquiet sur le comportement de la foule avant de venir ici, mais si content de l’accueil dont j’ai bénéficié. Cela démontre que les fans de motos sont les meilleurs, spécialement en Espagne où c’est toujours un plaisir de courir. L’avantage au championnat va permettre à l’équipe de travailler de façon plus relax et nous prenons tellement de plaisir que c’est une motivation supplémentaire. »
Colin EDWARDS (7ème à 18.762)
« Nous avons fait une erreur en testant les pneus de course hier matin alors qu’il ne faisait pas si chaud. Nous pensions avoir été rusé en choisissant un pneu que seul un autre pilote avait choisi, mais ça n’a pas marché. Je n’avais plus de grip arrière dans la seconde moitié de la course. J’étais donc obligé de relever la moto dans les virages et j’étais toujours trop à l’extérieur. C’est d’autant plus dommage que j’avais un bon pneu avant. Ce ne fut pas un bon final, mais nous avons beaucoup appris. »
Yamaha Fortuna :
Ruben Xaus (Fortuna Yamaha Team) 10th
"I’m really happy with today’s result because I scored some good points and I’m showing consistency. It’s also good for the team, because the start of the season was more difficult than we initially expected it would be, so this is great for motivation for them and for me. I believe that now we are starting to understand each other – the bike and I – and I’m looking forward to the next race, especially as I quite like Assen. I want to say thank you to Yamaha, Fortuna and the team for all the support, and I hope I can now continue to produce top ten performances."
David Checa (Fortuna Yamaha Team) 13th
"I couldn’t have asked for more, especially when you consider that I only had one day on the bike at this track. I scored in the points and for that I would like to say than you to the team for giving me this opportunity."
Ducati :
CAPIROSSI 12th AFTER TOUGH DAY
"It was a tough weekend," stated Capirossi, who had a last minute change to his race preparations. "We worked a lot and made quite a few changes in set-up. Yesterday afternoon we were OK. This morning I went out with the rear tyre we chose yesterday, and we were OK again. After warm-up I was advised to use a much harder compound rear. This was almost an obligatory choice, but after a few laps I had very little grip from the rear. It was as if it was raining. But anyway, it was important to finish the race. Now we can put this race into the past and we can focus on Assen."
CARLOS CHECA
"There was no possibility to race we did at Mugello," said a disappointed Checa. "We had a problem with the rear tyre life here, and the performance was nothing special. I made a mistake during the race as well, when in front of Bayliss and Xaus. The handlebars had been shaking from side to side as I went down the straight and when I hit the brakes I think my pads had been pushed back. I had to make a couple of grabs on the lever, and that made me lock up the front when it gripped again. I got past the riders again but by that time my tyre performance was down, so for the last seven laps I decided just to ride to hold my position and finish the race. This was not the race for us, but considering everything, I am reasonably satisfied."
1826 Articles au total
