CHECA TOP FIVE ON CHANGEABLE ESTORIL TRACK
Ducati Marlboro Team riders Carlos Checa and Loris Capirossi
each scored top ten finishes after an eventful 28-lap Portuguese
Grand Prix at Estoril, with Checa an eventual fifth after
a difficult opening few laps. Starting from the front row,
he dropped down the order until his rear tyre started to work
on the cool track conditions and despite wet sections on the
track for long periods, he progressed to the top five.
With 20 laps remaining the white flag, signifying rain on
the track surface and allowing riders to come in and change
to machines with a pre-arranged wet set-up, was shown. All
riders nonetheless persevered, with Checa making up ground
in the tricky conditions and Capirossi battling against the
pain of his ankle injury.
Ducati MotoGP Project Manager Livio Suppo stated: "So
finally we saw how the new flag-to-flag rules were in a race.
That was a typical situation in which it was difficult to
make a decision, as it was tough to see how hard the rain
was coming but in the end it all worked out. If they had stopped
the race I think it would not have been any different. In
terms of the result we are more or less happy. Considering
everything Carlos had a good fight and he took fifth place
from really nothing. Loris, we have to remember, is still
injured. So both riders finished with points, both in the
top ten. Thanks to all our technical partners, especially
Shell Advance and Bridgestone."
CHECA OVERCOMES TRICKY CONDITIONS FOR FIFTH
The Ducati Marlboro Team rider made a terrific start to the
race, capitalising on his front row start, but dropped back,
recovering at the finish.
"When you consider the things we had to carry into this
weekend, with my shoulder injury and so on, to finish fifth
is a positive result. With more side grip in the later laps
my suspension started working better and I regained confidence.
Then I was able to establish my pace. Fourth was possible
but I braked quite hard passing Melandri and ran wide. The
most difficult thing today was to see the flags signalling
rain when I was on slicks at 300kmph. That was really scary!"
CAPIROSSI TOUGHS IT OUT FOR A TOP TEN FINISH
The Ducati Marlboro Team man had an especially difficult race,
in pain from his ankle and having to ride carefully to even
finish.
"Overall I'm happy it's finished because I am not suffering
too much pain anymore. Now with a free weekend I will be able
to continue my therapy. The track conditions were really unbelievable.
Some places it was wet, other places dry and no one stopped
in the pits, because it would have been pointless. Luckily
only a few riders fell and none fell down in the last three
or four laps, when it began raining even more heavily. I tried
to be careful and to finish so I brought home some points.
The bike has improved and we are working on it very well so
I'm confident for next races, when I'll be 100%".
|
