Grand Prix of France (Le Mans)
FIFTH POSITION FOR ALEX HOFMANN IN LE MANS, DIFFICULT
RACE FOR ALEX BARROS
 The
French GP weekend finished with mixed results for the Pramac
d’Antin team in adverse weather conditions this afternoon.
Alex Barros made a perfect start as soon as the red light
went out to jump up to fourth position in the opening laps,
but subsequently struggled with the wet set-up on his Desmosedici
with Bridgestone tires. The Brazilian rider didn’t have
the right feeling with this kind of setting and struggled
to get a good final result. He unfortunately fell on the last
lap after trying to overtake another rider.
Team mate Alex Hofmann, after a two difficult days, rode
a wonderful race getting the fifth position. The German rider,
who started from the last line on grid, made an excellent
recovery that made him one of the main protagonists in the
fifth round of the World Championship MotoGP class.
Alex Barros – not classifed: “I’m
very displeased with today because with the set up we found
during the last two days we were very good, as everybody could
see from my race start. Unfortunately because of the weather
conditions I had to come back into the box to change by bike
and from that moment everything became more difficult for
me. Immediately I was conscious that I didn’t have the
right feeling and I rode without confidence, but at the same
time I tried to finish the race in a good position; maybe
I tried too much, because on the last lap, when I knew that
I could overtake Hopkins, I pushed too much and I fell down
because of aquaplaning on the front. I’m only aching
a bit, but I hope to be at 100% after this week and have a
good race in Mugello.”
Alex Hofmann – 5th: “I’m
very happy and satisfied, because after two bad days, today
it felt very good. The race was very animated today, after
few laps it started to rain and I decided to come back and
change by bike even if the other riders still continued; clearly
it was the right decision. Suddenly I found a good race pace
and I was confident with the bike and Bridgestone tyres, I
couldn’t expect anything better! It is my best result
in MotoGP and I hope to continue like today. I would like
to say thanks to my Team because they worked very well.”
Luis d’Antin – General Director:
“I’m happy for Alex Hofmann’s result and
for the team; at the beginning we weren’t very good,
but the race finished very well. At the same time, I’m
disappointed with Alex Barros’s day, maybe we didn’t
give him the right setting because he was usually fast in
these sorts of circumstances, but I’m confident that
in the next race he will recover the missed points. I would
like to thank all our partners, the good result that we make
are dedicated also to them.”
Official Times:
1° Chris Vermeulen: 50’58.713
2° Marco Melandri: 51’11.312
3° Casey Stoner: 51’26.060
4° Dani Pedrosa: 51’36.041
5° Alex Hofmann: 51’47.879
|
