DUCATI MARLBORO MEN SCORE DOUBLE TOP TEN AT ASSEN
Ducati Marlboro Team riders Loris Capirossi and Carlos Checa
brought their Desmosedici GP5s home for top-ten finishes at
Assen this afternoon. After a scorching two days of practice
and qualifying, conditions were much cooler today, following
overnight rain and thunder. Track temperature was down from
yesterday's 52 degrees to 32 degrees.
 "The
change in track temperature was definitely good for us, it
helped a little our tyre performance," said Ducati MotoGP
project manager Livio Suppo. "The early stages of the
race were exciting because Loris was running with the lead
group, but unfortunately he couldn't maintain that pace. Carlos
had a very different race - he didn't get a great start but
after half-distance he was able to run a reasonable pace.
If only we could combine our good first half and our good
second half for one better result! It's been a difficult weekend,
but thanks as always to Bridgestone for their work and also
to our other technical partners, like Shell Advance."
CHECA MOVES FORWARD TO TAKE NINTH
Carlos Checa came through from a slow start to score a ninth-place
result at overcast Assen today. The Spaniard ran 12th for
much of the race but began moving forward during the last
seven laps as his Desmosedici became lighter and easier to
handle.
"My biggest problem was after the start," said
the Ducati Marlboro Team man who had qualified 13th. "This
track is so twisty that it's really difficult to overtake
or even keep your position if you're right in the middle of
the pack. Eventually I was able to pass a few riders, then
my lap times weren't so bad. As the fuel load lessened, the
bike felt better, so I had more confidence in the corner entries.
Then I was able to catch and pass a few more riders, until
the grip went down and the bike started moving around, which
seemed to happen to everyone. Today this was the best we could
do. All I can say is that I hope that the information I give
to the team will help us improve for the next few races."
CAPIROSSI TENTH AFTER FAST START
Loris Capirossi enjoyed his first few laps around MotoGP's
fastest track today, running right with the lead group, but
then slipped backwards as he struggled to stay on terms with
the front runners. The Ducati Marlboro Team man finished tenth
to hold eighth place overall as the 2005 World Championship
approaches half-distance.
"Some riders are used to finishing well back and are
okay with that, but I'm neither used to this nor happy about
it," said the Italian. "This was a bad race - the
first few laps were okay but then the fun finished and the
risk began. I don't want to accuse anyone, the bike is okay
and the team is working so hard. Also, I see that Bridgestone
are working very hard. We use different tyres from the others,
because our bike has different demands, but I'm not happy
with tenth place."
|
