DOUBLE PODIUM FOR TEAM MOVISTAR HONDA MOTOGP
Sete Gibernau takes second place and is followed onto the
podium by his team-mate Marco Melandri.
CATALUNYA GP - MOTOGP RACE
The Movistar Honda MotoGP team led by Fausto Gresini celebrated
their 150th Grand Prix in style today with a double podium
at Catalunya, where Sete Gibernau and Marco Melandri finished
second and third respectively.
Both Movistar riders started from the front row of the grid
and set the pace in the race, with Sete Gibernau imposing
an intense rhythm in the second half that only Valentino Rossi
could follow. Sete led the way for the majority of the race
(18 of the 25 laps) with a consistent pace in the low 1’43s
- well inside the circuit record. The Spanish rider was roared
on to second place by 105,600 fans, a record crowd at the
Montmelò circuit.
Marco Melandri made a perfect start and, after leading the
way for three laps in the opening stages, tried his best to
stick with the pacesetters at the front. Later, the battle
with Hayden and Barros for third place cost him valuable time
and he eventually lost touch wi! th Valentino Rossi and Sete
Gibernau. However, Marco held his concentration and focused
on his main objective – a third podium finish of the
season.
SETE GIBERNAU (2nd):
“The team have done a great job and I had a good feeling
with the bike today. I set a good pace over the opening laps
which gave me a couple of tenths advantage and allowed me
to lead for the majority of the race. At eight laps to go
the left side was sliding too much and I wasn’t able
to maintain my pace. I’m disappointed for the fans,
who have given me great support all weekend, but I’m
sure they enjoyed the excitement in the race and a great show
all round.”
MARCO MELANDRI (3rd):
“It was a tough but incredible race for me. I got a
good start and tried to stay with the lead riders over the
opening laps. I had a good pace and even managed to lead for
a few laps but I ran wide when Nicky Hayden passed me and
Barros ! also came through to send me back to fifth place.
The fight with Barros and Nicky for third meant that I lost
contact with the front two and I was never able to make the
ground up. Even so, I am really happy with third place. I
won a personal battle today – my race pace was much
better compared to Mugello and the podium confirms that we
are getting constantly better. I want to say a special thanks
to the whole team, to Fausto and to Michelin, that has helped
me a lot in the right tyre choice.”
FAUSTO GRESINI, TEAM MANAGER:
“We have celebrated the 150th Grand Prix with two riders
on the podium. It’s an incredible result and I want
to thank Sete, Marco and all the team. Unfortunately Sete
couldn’t finish with a victory but he did a great race.
The race pace was incredible today, in fact todays total race
time was 45 seconds less than in 2004. I want to thank Honda
and Michelin because we could keep up with this incredible
rhyt! hm.”
RACE CLASSIFICATION
1. Valentino Rossi (Ita/Yamaha) 43’16.487
2. Sete Gibernau (Sp/Honda) +1.094
3. Marco Melandri (Ita/Honda) +7.810
4. Alex Barros (Bra/Honda) +8.204
5. Nicky Hayden (USA/Honda) +8.273
MotoGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
1. Valentino Rossi (Ita/Yamaha) 145 p.
2. Marco Melandri (Ita/Honda) 87
3. Max Biaggi (Ita/Honda) 77
4. Sete Gibernau (Sp/Honda) 73
5. Alex Barros (Bra/Honda) 65
GRESINI RACING – SPORTING RESULTS
TOTAL GPS: 150 : 500 Class/MotoGP: 85 - 250 Class : 65
TOTAL PODIUMS : 74 : 1° place 26 - 2° place 28 - 3°
place: 20
1° win: 18 april 1999 with Capirossi GP Malesia (Sepang)
250cc class
1° MotoGP win: GP of South Africa 27.04.2003 (Welkom)
Sete Gibernau
|
