SOLID RESULTS FOR FORTUNA HONDA RIDERS IN TURKEY
The inaugural Turkish Grand Prix took place today at the
Istanbul Park circuit. FORTUNA HONDA riders Jorge Lorenzo
and Hector Barbera, who worked together all weekend with their
mechanics to try and find the optimum set-up for the brand
new track, ended the race fourth and sixth respectively. Lorenzo
suffered problems with the front-end of his Honda which prevented
him from lapping as he had wanted. Team-mate Barbera had been
looking to clinch a podium finish, but his engine did not
perform sufficiently well. But, despite their disappointments,
the Spanish riders will be hoping to end the season in style
at Valencia in the climax to the 2005 campaign on November
6.
JORGE LORENZO
Race: 4th
Championship: 6th, with 147 points
“We weren’t quick all weekend and we could not
expect miracles in the race. My battle with Hector and Dovizioso
on the last lap would have been spectacular if it had been
for victory, but coming fourth is no good to me really. It’s
not where I want to be. In the warm-up this morning we improved
a bit, but in the race the problems with the front-end flared
up again. We had the same problems in Australia, but they
were worse here. We’ll see if we can improve in Valencia.”
HECTOR BERBERA
Race: 6th
Championship: 9th, with 109 points
“I am not happy at all. I could have got on the podium
today but the engine just did not perform. We worked well
on the chassis, but if the engine doesn’t work that
doesn’t really matter. I followed Pedrosa into the corner,
but when we came out on to the straight he pulled half a second
on me. I think I was ready to get on to the podium and even
win, but it seems instead of moving forward we have taken
a step backwards. On the last lap I got in front of Lorenzo
and Dovizioso but knew that later on they would be able to
pass me.”
Dani Amatriaín, Team Manager Fortuna Honda
de 250cc
“I think the last lap fight between Jorge, Hector and
Dovizioso was spectacular, it was a great battle but unfortunately
you could not see it on the monitors. For us it was a perfect
weekend. The most important thing was to finish the race and
score more points. There’s just Valencia left now and
then we’ll turn our attentions to next year. We’ve
done okay this year, but next season we really have to make
a challenge for the title.”
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