United States Grand Prix (Laguna Seca)
RACE
 NINTH
POSITION FOR ALEX BARROS AT THE RED BULL GP IN LAGUNA SECA
The race finish at Laguna Seca signaled the end of difficult
weekend for the Pramac Dantin Team, who lost a rider earlier
in the week when Alex Hofmann was injured on Friday morning's
free practice, and also for Alex Barros, who rode through
the pain of a hand unjury sustained in a crash at the previous
race, one week prior. The Team breathes a sigh of contentment
after these last six races in only eight weeks. The Brazilian,
who started from the second last row on starting grid, made
a good recovery, finishing his race in ninth place and scoring
seven important points for the championship. Exceeding all
expectations, the twenty year old Chaz Davies, riding in place
of the injured Hofmann, rode his first race in MotoGP and
performed admirably. Towards the end of the race, he found
a pace that potentially could have landed him near a top-ten
position, if he hadn't been forced to return to the box because
a stone’s impact had damaged a component. Thanks to
the Team's work, the problem was identified and repaired,
and the Chaz was able to re-enter the track and continue his
race. Afterwards, Davies said the bike was working even better
than before. The English rider was able to record an excellent
laptime of 1.23.75, two laps from the finish of the race.
The Team breathes a sigh of contentment after these last
six races in only eight weeks.
The MotoGP circus will now stop for a three week break, starting
again on the 17th of August in Brno.
Alex Barros ( 45’03.845 - 9° classified):
“it was an hard race for me, but I’m satisfied
with my result. Even though I had made a good start, my position
on the starting grid, was really penalyzing. Because of my
hand condition, I made a strong effort to ride. Because I
had a deep desire to recover the points lost in Germany, I
gave my very best to make up as many positions as possible.
During the race I had some difficulties when braking, but
then everything started working well and I was able to obtain
a good result. In the end, I enjoyed my race because eventually
I had a great battle with Roger Lee Hayden that went right
up until the very end, I ended up ahead, but I want to give
him my congratulations, because he rode very well. Finally,
I want to say Thanks to all the Clinica Mobile guys who helped
me to be able to ride in the best possible conditions.
Chaz Davies (44’34.640 3 laps less –
16° classified): “ It was a difficult race
for me, but I’m very happy to have taken part in this.
At the beginning, I was really worried because it was my first
race in MotoGP, I was on a complicated track, the race was
32 long laps, and along with the notorious corkscrew, I was
pretty worried. I got a fantastic start, but then I made a
couple of mistakes and I lost the group. I went off-track
at the corkscrew and propably a stone from there damaged my
bike because suddenly it started to vibrate in strange way.
Fortunately, mechanics were able to take care of everything,
and I was able to re-join the race with a bike that worked
very well. In fact, just few laps to the end, I made my best
time! I want to thanks to the Pramac d’Antin Team, Bridgestone,
and Ducati, who gave me this opportunity, and also, good luck
to Alex Hofmann.
Luis d’Antin – Team Manager:
“This week end was really complicated for us. We started
on Friday with Alex Hofmann's crash that rendered him unable
to ride on this track, which was his favourite. I’m
displeased about this and I hope that he can recover very
soon. Also, I’m pleasantly surprised about Chaz’s
race, that despite of few mistakes, was a really good job.
Also Alex Barros discussed a very good race, with his hand
conditions we couldn’t hope something more. This showed
that we are really competitive and that in right conditions
we can stay in the first five position.
Official times
1° Casey Stoner: 44’20.325
2° Chris Vermeulen: 44’30.190
3° Marco Melandri: 44’45.966
4° Valentino Rossi: 44’50.989
5° Dani Pedrosa: 44’55.947
9° Alex Barros: 45’03.845
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