ALEX BARROS ELEVENTH IN JEREZ, SOME TECHICAL DIFFICULTIES
FOR HOFMANN
Both the Pramac d’Antin riders leave Jerez de la Frontera
Circuit unhappily. This, which for them was one of the important
races in the Championship, is finished in a not very satisfactory
way.
Alex Barros, had difficulties with both the rear tyre of his
DUCATI GP7 that didn’t allow him to be quick in the
straight and also made some mistakes during the two lasts
laps in the struggle with Vermeulen and Nakano, which cost
to him the loss of two positions. The Brazilian, who finished
in eleventh position, is quite satisfied with his race, but
he said, he wants to be more competitive in the next round.
This day was more difficult for Alex Hofmann, because of some
technical problems on the starting grid, he was forced to
come back to the pit garage and change his bike soon after
the first lap. The German from Mindelheim, who during the
testing proved to have good possibilities for achieving strong
results, waits confidently until the next race to forget this
unlucky weekend and to reach is goals.
The next date of this World Championship, will see the Pramac
d’Antin MotoGP Team in the Turkish Grand prix, that
will take place on the Istanbul Circuit, on Sunday, April
22nd.
Alex Barros – 11°: “This
race has not really been as I expected but I did tried till
the end to obtain the best possible result! The start wasn’t
perfect, but my first ten laps were quite good, the constant
pace I had permitted me to move up four positions, from thirteenth
to the ninth position. After this, I had some difficulties
with the front tire and the race became harder for me; my
riding style leads me to push a lot on the front tire and
when its performances are lower I suffer a lot. Nevertheless,
it was a good race, battling myself with Vermeulen and Nakano
until the end, then when Chris and I touched, I found it difficult
to recover immediately and Shinya overtook me right on the
finishing line. I’m very sorry about this because I’m
sure I could be on the first six positions if I would not
have problems with the front tire.”
Alex Hofmann – excluded: “There
are no words to describe this day! I really wanted to have
a good race today, I was determined and concentrated but in
the end I could not make more than two laps! Immediately after
the start, I realized I could not accelerate because of a
technical problem, so I returned to the pit box to change
my bike. I’m really unhappy because my race pace during
practices was constant. Even today, I could run my last lap
in 1.41,9”. If I could continued my race, I think I
could move up till the tenth or eleventh position. I’
don’t know what I can say, I want to forget this day
and focus on the next race in Istanbul.”
Official Time:
1° Valentino Rossi: 45’53.340
2° Dani Pedrosa: 45’54.586
3° Colin Edwards: 45’56.041
4° Toni Elias: 45’57.691
5° Casey Stoner: 45’58.333
11° Alex Barros: 46’18.348
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