PROGRESS SHINES THROUGH ON GREAT DAY FOR YAMAHA
 The
FORTUNA YAMAHA team demonstrated impressive progress throughout
the three days of the French Grand Prix and confirming the
positive steps forward being taken by the team led by Hervé
Poncharal. Toni Elías, who set a series of fast times
yesterday, ended the race in a creditable ninth position after
putting a strong rhythm together after narrowly avoiding a
multiple crash in the first corner. Ruben Xaus, meanwhile,
became more and more comfortable with his machine as the race
wore on, a level of progress made evident by his lap times
in the final third of the race. FORTUNA YAMAHA plan to continue
their work at the French circuit for another two days, when
they will continue with their development programme ahead
of the next round of the championship, which takes place on
the 5th June at Mugello, Italy.
TONI ELIAS - (24)
RACE: 9TH / WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: 14TH / 15 POINTS
"The crash at the beginning in the chicane spoilt things
for me quite a lot because I had to dodge Checa to make sure
that I didn't run over him. From there on I was able to maintain
my position in the second group, with the first four riders
in the front group setting a rhythm that was impossible
for the rest of us. In order to recover lost ground I rode
on the limit throughout the race and I wasn't completely comfortable
because grip levels were low with the track being so much
colder. The important thing is tha we are improving our results
with every race and I'm sure the next two days of tests here
will be very useful for us to prepare for the next round in
Italy."
RUBEN XAUS (11)
RACE: 12TH / WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: 13TH / 15 POINTS
"At the start I found it very hard to follow the race
pace because I got a bit left behind over the first few laps.
I had Bayliss, Jacque and Kenny in
front of me and it wasn't too difficult to pass Roberts. A
backmarker got in my way and I lost contact with Bayliss and
Jacque and it was impossible to catch them. I felt much more
comfortable from the 15th lap, which allowed me to drop my
times from high 36s to low 36s. We've seen a lot of positive
things today and I hope we can make even more progress in
the test
tomorrow.."
HERVE PONCHARAL - TEAM DIRECTOR OF FORTUNA YAMAHA
"Yamaha have celebrated a magnificent podium at Le Mans
thanks to a sensational performance from their main riders.
Toni had his best race of the year so far. To finish just
behind Nakano is a good reference point to know where we need
to continue working. Ruben also had a good race, lapping even
faster than Bayliss. The key to his adaptation is to keep
making progress at every race, having shown evident steps
forward today."
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