MELANDRI REJOINS PODIUM BATTLE IN GERMANY
Michel Fabrizio also scores a top finish
 Marco
Melandri returned to the battle for lead positions in the
German Grand Prix, making a good start from the front row
to hang on to third place in pursuit of early leaders Casey
Stoner and Dani Pedrosa for twenty long laps. The Italian
looked to be on course for a certain podium but was forced
to drop his pace as tyre performance decreased towards the
end of the race. The Gresini Honda rider ended with a creditable
sixth place, which moves him back up to fifth in the championship
on 97 points, as the paddock now heads straight to the United
States for the next round in just a few days' time.
There was also a good performance from Michel Fabrizio, who
started from 17th on the grid but fought to the end of the
race to finish eleventh.
MARCO MELANDRI (6th in the race, 5th in the championship
on 97 points): "I got a good start and tried
to hang on to Stoner without risking too much. The bike was
working really well but Pedrosa set an incredibly strong pace.
Once I got past Stoner, about ten laps from the end, the tyres
were just gone. From then on I tried to keep the pace, manage
the race and even tried to get fifth place back off Casey
but it was too risky. I'm happy though because we're competitive
again and today I was able to fight for the podium. We've
taken a big step forward here and I have to say thanks again
to Honda for the new material they brought here. The engine
is much sweeter and I can manage the throttle in a way that
suits my style much more. I like the idea of racing again
next weekend and I can't wait to get back on the bike at Laguna
Seca - a track I'm sure will suit the bike and the Bridgestone
tyres really well."
MICHEL FABRIZIO (11th): "I'm happy
with this result - my target was to finish in the top ten
and I was close. It was a really tough race, physically very
demanding and also because the pace was so fast. It's been
a nice experience for me and a real bonus in what has been
a hard year."
FAUSTO GRESINI: "Marco put in a great
performance, I'm only disappointed because he had a really
good race and could have ended up with a much better result.
He passed by an opportunity because of a problem that prevented
him from pushing as hard as he could have. We are happy with
him though because he was one of the stars of the race today.
Fabrizio has also done really well and has set some fast times
in the end. I'm glad to have given him this opportunity but
our thoughts are also with Toni and we are looking forward
to having him back soon."
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