MARCO MELANDRI: THIRD PLACE ON AN ALL-ITALIAN PODIUM
A good day too for Toni Elias, who clinches sixth
place
The Grand Prix of Japan belonged to Italy today as tricolore
riders filled the podium once again: Loris Capirossi, Valentino
Rossi and Marco Melandri taking the spoils at Motegi.
Marco Melandri was one of the stars of a spectacular race,
his third place finish handing the Constructors' World Championship
title to Honda for the 17th time in the premier-class.
Marco made a great start from the front row, moving into
second place behind Loris Capirossi, who set a hot pace from
the beginning.After a couple of tentative attempts to take
the lead, the Fortuna Honda rider then turned his attentions
to defending second place for fourteen laps until eventually
conceding to Rossi.
It was a satisfactory outing for Toni Elias, who took a creditable
sixth place today. Toni also made a good start and did his
best to stay in touch with the lead group, who were lapping
in a sensational pace of 1'47. Toni lost a little more ground
as each lap went by but fought bravely in the second group
to take a hard-earned sixth place.
Marco's seventh podium of the season leaves him third in
the championship on 209 points, 27 behind series leader and
fellow Honda rider Nicky Hayden.
MARCO MELANDRI (3rd in the race, 3rd in the championship
on 209 points): "It is nice to be on the podium
at Honda's home race and I'm happy to have given them the
constructors' title. Today the pace set by Loris was extremely
fast but the balance of my bike was also good and the tyres
worked really well. After a tough warm-up, when we struggled
a little to get the right feeling with a harder rear tyre,
I went for slightly softer rubber for the race. At the start
I felt I had the pace to lead the race because the feeling
with the bike and tyres was perfect. Then when the tyres started
to go off I first took some risks to maintain my position
but then I decided not to take any further risks and bring
it home in third place. I'm enjoying myself at the moment
and now we're going to two tracks I like. I just have to focus
on having fun and giving it my best shot every Sunday."
TONI ELIAS (6th in the race, 13th in the championship
on 81 points): "I'm happy with sixth place even
though I was hoping for better. I started well and tried to
go with the lead group but it wasn't possible because they
had a pace that was a couple of tenths quicker than I was
capable of. I got involved in the second group with Gibernau,
Hayden and Nakano, focused on my rhythm and pushed as hard
as I could, even though I was missing a little rear traction.
Now I am looking forward to Portugal because we have taken
another step forward here."
MOTOGP RACE
1. L.Capirossi (Ita/Yamaha)
2. V.Rossi (Ita/Yamaha)
3.M.MELANDRI (Ita/Honda)
6. T.ELIAS (Sp/Honda)
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