MELANDRI JUST OFF THE PODIUM
At Valencia Marco finishes 4th, Toni Elias is 10th
Marco Melandri and Toni Elias fought with determination in
the final race of the year. After starting relatively low
on the grid Marco Melandri and Toni Elias both got away well
to make up several places at the start of the race. Marco,
in particular, had a strong start to recover five positions
in moving from tenth up to fifth, the Honda Gresini rider
soon getting up to successfully battle with Nicky Hayden for
fourth. Third place was just out of his reach though as he
was unable to catch John Hopkins who finished the race behind
leading pair Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner. Fourth place saw
Marco end the season fifth in the championship, missing fourth
overall by just two points.
Toni Elias also fought competitively to make up four places
from 14th at the start, but was not as quick as he would have
hoped in the early laps and eventually had to settle for tenth.
The Honda Gresini Team would officially like to thank Marco
Melandri and Toni Elias for their efforts this season and
for some great years together - three with Marco and two with
Toni - with have brought success and satisfaction to us all.
MARCO MELANDRI (4th in race, 5th in World Championship
with 187 points): "I knew that it a would be
a tough race, but today was much harder than in practice.
I made a good start to gain five places but I lacked feeling
in the front end and the bike was moving around a lot. I fought
with Hayden for fourth and was looking for Hopkins, but it
wasn't possible on this occasion. It's disappointing because
I wanted a podium and I've missed out on fourth place in championship
by two points to John. I wanted a better result but thanks
to Fausto and the team for all their hard work."
TONI ELIAS (10th in race, 12th in World Championship
with 104 points): "I made a good start, but
I struggled a lot in the first ten laps with a full tank,
and was not getting enough grip. Once my pace improved I went
after Vemeulen, De Puniet and Capirossi but couldn't catch
them. It's a shame because I wanted to end the season with
a better result. I want to thank the team and Fausto for the
two last years. They have been like a family to me and they
helped me get my first MotoGP win."
FAUSTO GRESINI: "Marco had a good race
and was lapping at a decent pace but he was let down by his
starting position. We thank him for three great seasons, and
his first win in Turkey in 2005 is a special memory. His overall
record with us of five victories and 17 podiums and his second
in the World Championship in his first year with the team
speaks for itself. Toni deserves another big 'thank you' after
two years with us, in which he took his first MotoGP win last
year and then got two further podiums this year."
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