TONI ELIAS JUST MISSES THE PODIUM IN JEREZ
Spectacular fight-back in front of an adoring crowd
The 2006 MotoGP World Championship kicked off on Sunday in
Jerez, and in some style. In front of a captivated Spanish
crowd, the MotoGP riders put on a spectacular show in the
first round of the season (242.000 spectators in three days).
Spanish FORTUNA HONDA rider Toni Elias, who produced a superb
ride, once again demonstrated his undoubted potential at this
level. After a very close, bunched start, Elias came together
with Valentino Rossi after breaking sharply and sent the reigning
World Champion crashing to the floor. Rossi got back up, but
was some way behind the field after his fall, while Elias
too lost a lot of places after the collision. It was then
that the young Spaniard started his charge through the field,
showing great skill and determination to eventually take fourth
spot.
His team-mate Marco Melandri finished one place further back
in fifth and declared himself satisfied after putting in a
lot of hard work over the course of the weekend. After lapping
with the leading riders at the beginning of the race, the
Italian rode a consistent race and settled for fifth place
and some very important championship points.
The championship will now head towards Qatar for the next
round in two weeks' time.
TONI ELIAS 4th
"It was a really tough race, but one of the best of my
life. I feel sorry for Valentino, but it was a really close
start and we all reached the end of the straight bunched together.
I was right next to Shinya Nakano and when I tried to avoid
him I clipped Valentino. I went to apologise to him after
the race although these things do happen in racing. After
that I managed to find a good rhythm and was able to fight
back. It was a real shame that after all that effort I could
not get on to the podium, but I'm still really happy. I think
the spectators really enjoyed it, but I want to thank them
for being the best fans in the world."
MARCO MELANDRI 5th
"It was a very difficult race, but at least we have taken
some very important points. The changes we made to the bike
during the warm-up did not work as well as hoped s we took
a bit of a backwards step. I made a good start but did not
want to push too hard and risk the points I had. I am still
not very comfortable with the front end of the bike so we'll
have to work on that. I am confident and HRC are giving us
lots of support, the test sessions tomorrow and the day after
will help us improve my feeling with the bike."
THE RACE
1.L.Capirossi (Ita/Ducati)
2.D.Pedrosa (Sp/Honda)
3.N.Hayden (Usa/Honda)
4.T.ELIAS (Sp/Honda)
5. M.MELANDRI (Ita/Honda)
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