ALEX HOFMANN NINTH AT HIS HOME GP, ALEX BARROS CRASHES OUT
ON LAP NINE
The tenth MotoGP championship appointment concluded with
a hotly contested race characterized by a lot of crashes.
In the sweltering heat of the afternoon sun at Sachsenring,
which saw track temperatures soar past 50 degrees celsius,
many riders were unable to finish their races, and unfortunately
one of the victims of this situation was Alex Barros, who
lost the front after nine laps and crashed. Fortunately, he
did not injure his damaged right hand further, which was hurt
in a large crash on Friday morning, and aside from additional
aches and pains, Barros is ready for the upcoming Red Bull
US Grand Prix in Monterey, California, just one week away.
Alex Hofmann, also riding with a damaged right hand, was able
to finish the race with a solid ninth position, earning seven
more important Championship points despite hand surgery less
than a week prior.
Alex Barros (crashed out): “I’m very unhappy with
my race result. In these past few days, injuries and all,
I was still able to perform well in the free practices, and
for Today I hoped to get a good result. I got a strong start,
but after just few laps I knew that something wasn’t
so good; Today the tires were not working very well, but also
my hand gave me some difficulties.
Probably, this combination was responsible for my fall. I
did my best to ride in this race, but of course, my physical
condition wasn’t so good. Now my wound is a lot more
painful because the anaesthetic effect is wearing off, but
even if only partially, I hope to recover some for the next
week in Laguna Seca.
Alex Hofmann ( 42’36.410 - 9° classified
): “It was a difficult race for me, because
of both the very hot temperatures and now my hand is aching.
I’m very tired, but at the same time happy for my final
result because after only one week from my surgical operation
I thought that I wouldn’t be able to ride. My starting
grid position really hurt me, but I made a good race start
by trying to remain with the group and pushing more in the
final laps. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to do this
because today we had some difficulties with the tires and
especially in the rear, we didn’t have enough grip.
Now I have a couple of days for me to relax and then we’ll
be racing at discuss Laguna Seca, where I hope to be in better
shape.”
Luis d’Antin – Team Manager: ”For
us it was difficult weekend. Hofmann had just been operated
on his hand and Barros had an accident on Friday. Before we’d
arrived in Germany, we expected a lot from this race, and
our prediction was to be in the top-five. Unfortunately, it
wasn’t possible. I’m very satisfied with Alex
Hofmann’s result, but we want to be better. Now we have
to look to the future, as we have a consecutive appointment
in the USA, and we hope to achieve our aim of getting good
results.”
Official Times:
1° Dani Pedrosa: 41’53.196
2° Loris Capirossi: 42’06.362
3° Nicky Hayden: 42’09.967
4° Colin Edwards: 42’11.495
5° Casey Stoner: 42’24.622
9° Alex Hofmann: 42’36.410
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