Edwards fourth for Tech 3 Yamaha, Toseland frustrated
The Tech 3 Yamaha team had another day of contrasting fortunes
at a blustery Donington Park today, with Colin Edwards claiming
a hard fought fourth place in the British GP.
But there was bitter disappointment for James Toseland and
a record British GP crowd of nearly 90,000 fans as the 27-year-old
finished 17th following a crash at the first corner.
Seventh at the end of the first lap, Edwards started to make
his charge through the field on lap 14 when he passed Chris
Vermeulen at Coppice. Just three laps later he claimed fifth
with an overtake on compatriot Nicky Hayden before he took
fourth place from Andrea Dovizioso on lap 18. For most of
the second half of the race, Edwards was able to run the pace
of podium finishers Valentino Rossi and Dani Pedrosa, but
despite some aggressive riding he was unable to fight his
way back into contention for a second successive podium.
It was a day of frustration for Toseland, who determined
to make a strong start from 16th on the grid, crashed at the
first turn having gained several places. Despite a nasty bang
to his right hand and the loss of his right footpeg, Toseland
rallied himself to complete 30 tough laps at a fast pace.
Despite his disappointing result, Toseland still got a rousing
reception from British fans appreciative of his efforts.
Colin Edwards - Position: 4thTime: + 12.678
"I'm a bit cross even though fourth is still a good result.
In the dry on Friday it was so good and I was really happy
with everything. But with the rain yesterday I got thrown
a bit. The geometry of the bike is quite a bit different and
the weight bias quite a bit different compared to last year.
So riding in the rain threw me a bit today when it was dry.
Even this morning I went out and I came in and I started complaining
about all these problems with the front end, yet it was exactly
the same bike that I had on Friday. I got out in the race
and in the first few laps I was struggling. I was riding hard
but I couldn't get into the low 29s like I was doing on a
tyre that had done 24 laps on Friday. And then it kind of
clicked what I needed to do but it took too long to adjust.
I kept letting the front pop up and kept running wide and
running wide and then I figured it out. Now you have to brake
a lot deeper, harder and longer on this year's bike with the
geometry and I just got my head around it too late. Once I
did that I got into the low 29s and started moving through
the field. As far as lap times there was not much between
me, Valentino, Dani and Casey. I kept seeing them at the same
spot on the track and they weren't pulling away. If anything
I was gaining a little bit on them. I might have fought with
them had I come through a bit quicker but we still did a fantastic
job this weekend. The team and Michelin did a great job and
I just wish I could run the race again."
James Toseland - Position: 17thTime: +1 lap
"It is hard to explain just how disappointed how I am.
I really wanted to get a good result for my home crowd but
it was always going to be difficult after the problems of
yesterday. Starting from 16th was always going to be tough
but I decided to attack from the start. I made a good start
and passed a few people and didn't think I was too fast into
the first corner but the rear end came round and I was down.
I could have just cruised back to the pits but a lot of people
had come to see me ride. I was hurting because I hit my head
pretty hard and I smacked my right hand down on the tarmac.
And the right footpeg had snapped off, but I soldiered on
because I wanted to get to that chequered flag more than anything.
I was going to finish for all those fans, who have been unbelievable
supporting me since I arrived here. I will bounce back from
this but it has got to be one of the biggest disappointments
of my career. It is not in my nature to give up and I didn't
today, and I know my turn will come. I am obviously disappointed,
but I have to congratulate Scott Redding. He did an amazing
job and it was great for the British fans to see him do that.
Herve Poncharal - Team Manager
"Firstly I really want to thank Colin because again he
did another great race. He qualified on the second row in
the rain and although he lose some time in the early part
of the race he was running the same times as Valentino and
Dani and he was catching them later on. Seeing Colin do that
today proves what a competitive package we have got. Of course
I am very sorry and disappointed for James. I think he really
wanted to do well but the rain on Saturday meant he was always
racing against the clock to improve. From then he was always
trying to recover. He made a mistake but I have nothing but
huge admiration for what he did afterwards. It took a lot
of courage for him to carry in the circumstances and it showed
that he really wanted to repay the British fans for their
support. He wanted to do well for them and I don't think they
can be disappointed with his effort. The good news is we have
a race next week and he can show what a strong character he
is by bouncing back."
Circuit Length: 4023
Temp: 20
Weather: Dry
2008 MotoGP Great Britain - Donington Park 22/06/2008
Race 1 - 30 Laps
Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time
1 Casey Stoner Ducati AUS 44'44.982
2 Valentino Rossi Yamaha ITA 0'5.789
3 Daniel Pedrosa Honda ESP 0'8.347
4 Colin Edwards Yamaha USA 0'12.678
5 Andrea Dovizioso Honda ITA 0'14.801
6 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha ESP 0'15.690
7 Nicky Hayden Honda USA 0'18.196
8 Chris Vermeulen Suzuki AUS 0'21.666
9 Shinya Nakano Honda JPN 0'29.354
10 Anthony West Kawasaki AUS 0'41.030
11 Toni Elias Ducati ESP 0'44.426
12 Randy De Puniet Honda FRA 0'46.199
13 Sylvain Guintoli Ducati FRA 0'48.731
14 Ben Spies Suzuki USA 0'49.591
15 Alex De Angelis Honda SMR 1'22.186
17 James Toseland Yamaha GBR -1 Laps
Best Lap
Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time
Casey Stoner Ducati AUS 1'28.773
Rider Standings 22/06/2008
Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Points
1. Valentino Rossi Yamaha ITA 162
2. Daniel Pedrosa Honda ESP 151
3. Casey Stoner Ducati AUS 117
4. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha ESP 104
5. Colin Edwards Yamaha USA 82
6. Andrea Dovizioso Honda ITA 68
7. Nicky Hayden Honda USA 57
8. James Toseland Yamaha GBR 53
9. Loris Capirossi Suzuki ITA 51
10. Shinya Nakano Honda JPN 49
11. Chris Vermeulen Suzuki AUS 48
12. John Hopkins Kawasaki USA 32
13. Marco Melandri Ducati ITA 29
14. Toni Elias Ducati ESP 29
15. Alex De Angelis Honda SMR 25
Team Standings 22/06/2008
Pos. Team Points
1. FIAT Yamaha Team 266
2. Repsol Honda Team 208
3. Ducati Marlboro Team 146
4. Tech3 Yamaha 135
5. Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 99
6. Honda Gresini 74
7. JIR Scot Team 68
8. Kawasaki Racing Team 48
9. Team Alice 47
10. Honda LCR 22
Manufacturer Standings 22/06/2008
Pos. Manufacturer Points
1. Yamaha 180
2. Honda 151
3. Ducati 122
4. Suzuki 71
5. Kawasaki 41
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