SUPERB FIGHTBACK FROM MELANDRI AT CZECH REPUBLIC GP
Having started on the fourth row for what proved a difficult
and hard-fought Czech Republic Grand Prix, Marco Melandri
took a deserved fifth place in Brno which left him in fourth
place in the World Championship on 161 points, behind Rossi,
Pedrosa and current leader Hayden.
The Italian made a particularly impressive start in Sunday's
race and made light of being in eleventh place on the grid,
moving up to fourth spot before finishing 5th.
It proved a difficult day for Spaniard Toni Elias who could
not take advantage of starting on the second row as he ultimately
finished in 11th. Elias currently sits in 12th position in
the championship with 64 points.
The FORTUNA HONDA team will stay at the Czech circuit tomorrow
for a day of testing.
MARCO MELANDRI ( 5th): "Considering
my position on the grid, I have to be satisfied. However,
I expected a better result at this circuit. After making a
good start I climbed through the field and made it up into
fourth position. I had a good rhythm and was lapping strongly
but could not attack when I wanted. Pedrosa and Rossi pulled
away from me and I could not catch them again. I have closed
the gap on Nicky by four points although I wanted a better
result. All the team did a good job."
TONI ELIAS (11th): "I am satisfied
with the work we have done, but I can't be happy with the
result. I did not start well and had no rhythm over the first
ten laps. It was then I started to lap better and felt more
comfortable. The team did a good job and I hope that continues
over the next couple of days testing we are going to do here."
MOTOGP RACE
1 L.Capirossi (Ita/Ducati)
2. V.Rossi (Ita/Yamaha)
3. D.Pedrosa (Sp/Honda)
5.M.Melandri (Ita/Honda)
11. T.Elias (Sp/Honda)
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