MELANDRI SECURES SECOND WIN OF THE SEASON
Team-mate Toni Elias ninth
FORTUNA HONDA rider Marco Melandri, after a spectacular race,
clinched his second win of the season at the GP of France
held at the Le Mans circuit. In changeable weather conditions,
the Italian rode an intelligent and consistent race, maintaining
a superb pace throughout. He knew exactly when to attack and,
in doing so, made sure he ended on the top step of the podium.
The race, which was incident-packed, proved to be one of the
most entertaining of the season with the riders somewhat unsure
due to the conditions. Melandri lapped consistently and timed
his attack to perfection to emerge victorious. His second
triumph of the season sees him move up to second in the championship
with 79 points.
His team-mate Toni Elias, despite making a good start, had
to settle for ninth position after having started in 16th.
However, the Spaniard was not satisfied with the result as
a problem with his rear tyre prevented him from demonstrating
his obvious potential. Toni now sits seventh in the championship
with 44 points.
MARCO MELANDRI (1st, 2nd in championship
- 79 points): "It was an incredible race! Obviously I
am very satisfied as I was not expecting it. At the start
the weather conditions were very changeable and I put on a
hard rear tyre for the race after talking to our Michelin
technician, Pascal Sasso. I'm happy and I want to thank Michelin
because it was the perfect tyre choice. I got away well and
that allowed me to lead on the first lap. Hopkins then overtook
me as my bike was suffering a bit in the first laps, but after
a few laps when the tyre temperature increased, the bike began
to work better and better and I was able to lap near the front.
As the laps went by I started to think about winning and I
overtook Loris and then, when the time was right, Pedrosa
as well. I want to thank the whole team, Honda and Michelin
for the great job."
TONI ELIAS (9th, 7th in championship - 44
points) "It was a very difficult day. We still had the
same problems in the warm-up and could not find a solution.
I got a good start but could not then keep up the pace I wanted.
Tomorrow we will stay at the circuit to test and I hope to
find some solutions. We will look at the situation and I hope
to be back where I deserve soon. I want to congratulate Marco
who rode a very intelligent race."
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