From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

Pacific Grand Prix, Twin Ring Motegi
Race Day
Sunday, October 5 2003

DUCATI MARLBORO MEN PUT MOTEGI DOWN TO EXPERIENCE
Ducati Marlboro Team riders Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss had a difficult debut race at Motegi today, Capirossi coming home ninth, Bayliss the innocent victim of a multiple pile-up at the very first corner.

The 13th round of the 2003 MotoGP World Championship was always going to be a challenging event for the Ducati Marlboro Team because the Italian-based crew had never even seen the Honda-owned circuit before arriving here earlier in the week. But the squad takes away vital know-how from the past three days and leaves Motegi happy that this is the last time it will have to go into a race with zero track knowledge.

“This was the last new track for us, so now we’ve some knowledge of every MotoGP circuit, which is important,” said Ducati Marlboro Team technical director Corrado Cecchinelli. “We weren’t able to give our riders the best bike here, but sometimes that happens, and we mustn’t be disappointed with today’s race because it’s all experience. Our guys couldn’t brake as late as the other riders, something to do with the overall bike balance, and we have ideas to fix that. Braking is everything here – if you can’t brake late at Motegi, you won’t win the race.”

Despite today’s disappointing result, Capirossi and Bayliss were cheered on their way by more than 500 members of the Ducati Club of Japan, who turned a section of the main Motegi grandstand bright red. After the race was over more than 200 of them took to the track, escorted by two Alfa Romeo GTAs.

CAPIROSSI FINISHES NINTH, LEARNS PLENTY
Loris Capirossi rode a determined race at Motegi today, bringing his Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici home in ninth place. The Italian had qualified on the second row of the grid and learned much during the gruelling race around this stop-and-go track where braking performance is primordial.

“That was a very hard race,” said the Italian who maintains fourth place in the World Championship. “The bike wasn’t perfect for this track, but this is a learning year for us, so today was positive in terms of experience because we learned so much. The bike wasn’t as stable on the brakes as I would’ve liked. We only had four sessions to find the right set-up and this time we didn’t find it. However, I’d say that we are generally very competitive – at Rio we had a great set-up but had a minor technical problem in the race, here we just didn’t find the set-up.”

BAYLISS TAKEN OUT AT FIRST TURN
Ducati Marlboro Team rider Troy Bayliss had high hopes of building on a promising two days of qualifying in this afternoon’s Pacific GP. The Motegi first-timer got faster every time he took to the track on Friday and Saturday but lost his chance to show his speed today when he was taken out at the very first corner. Despite his misfortune, the Aussie didn’t lose the opportunity to help a fellow rider, pushing former Superbike rival Colin Edwards (Aprilia), who was also involved in the incident, out of the gravel trap.

“It’s been a difficult enough weekend without that!” said Bayliss, still fifth overall. “I made a really good start and things were looking good going into the first turn. Then Hopkins comes up the inside into Carlos, and as they go down I go over the top of them. I’m okay, but my helmet’s got some gravel rash and tyre marks on it! At least I was able to give Colin a push out of the gravel, none of the marshals were helping him, so I gave him a hand. We’ll have a laugh about that later! As for my crash, you can only laugh or cry and I’d rather laugh!”



More, from a press release issued by Fuchs Kawasaki:

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2003
ROUND 13 – GAULOISES PACIFIC GRAND PRIX OF MOTEGI

5TH OCTOBER 2003 – MOTOGP RACE RESULT

FUCHS KAWASAKI’S PITT MAKES IMPRESSIVE MOTEGI DEBUT

Making his debut at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit, Fuchs Kawasaki’s Andrew Pitt came agonisingly close to a points scoring finish in today’s Pacific Grand Prix.

The Australian raced his Ninja ZX-RR to 17th place, having started from 22nd position on the grid. Pitt shadowed experienced Grand Prix rival, Nobuatsu Aoki, for much of the race, but was unable to make a pass on the Japanese rider after being baulked by Olivier Jacque as the Frenchman returned to the race after running off the track. Pitt was just four seconds adrift of Aoki’s points scoring 15th place at the finish.

While Pitt was happy with the consistency of his race lap times, Fuchs Kawasaki team-mate, Garry McCoy, was left disappointed when an electrical problem forced him to retire from the race on lap 11.

A good start was spoiled for McCoy when a turn one incident involving Troy Bayliss, John Hopkins, Carlos Checa and Colin Edwards forced the Australian to back off the throttle, dropping him to the back of the field. But by lap four McCoy had settled into a consistent pace and was just one place behind his team-mate when forced to pull into the pits.

While their results may have been very different, both Fuchs Kawasaki riders declared themselves impressed with the latest Dunlop race tyres, which allowed Pitt to record his fastest time of the race just four laps from the end. McCoy’s fastest time came on the tenth lap, his last before retiring.

Andrew Pitt – 17th
“I had a good rhythm going in the race and thought there was a good chance of pipping Aoki for the final points scoring position. But then Jacque pushed his way between us and I lost contact with the Proton. Once he’d cleaned off his tyres Jacque upped the pace again and Aoki was in a position to go with him; stretching the gap even more. I’m a little disappointed not to get some points here, but I can take some consolation from the fact that I raced with some guys the whole way and did some quick laps at the end. The consistency of the race tyre that Dunlop supplied us with today was impressive; they’ve obviously been working hard even since Brazil and it’s paid off.”

Garry McCoy – DNF
“Normally the outside of turn one is the place to be on the first lap, but not today. It was a total mess; there were bikes and bodies all over the place in front of me. By the time I got going again and dealt with De Gea and Serizawa the group in front, including Andrew and Nobu, had pulled a gap and I was working to close it down to those guys. The bike and tyres were feeling comfortable, but then on the back straight the motor wasn’t pulling; it was just dying on the downshifts and there wasn’t any point in continuing.”

Harald Eckl – Team Manager
“It was a pity Garry’s bike developed an electrical problem, because after being delayed at the first corner you could see from the lap times he was pushing to close the gap to the riders in front of him. And for Andrew, the incident with Jacque cost him time in his battle with Aoki. Most important today was the very consistent performance of the Dunlop tyres here at Motegi, with them staying on the pace right to the finish.”



More, from a press release issued by Fortuna Yamaha:
Pacific Grand Prix

Sunday, 5 October 2003

Motegi, Japan

BITTERSWEET PACIFIC GRAND PRIX FOR FORTUNA YAMAHA

Today’s Pacific Grand Prix brought mixed results for the Fortuna Yamaha Team after a weekend of strong qualifying. A first turn crash involving Suzuki rider John Hopkins and Ducati’s Troy Bayliss forced Fortuna Yamaha rider Carlos Checa off the track and out of the race. Checa’s team-mate Marco Melandri was also involved in the incident, forced off his racing line and onto the trackside gravel. The young Italian got back on track and despite having been relegated to 19th position on the opening lap, made a determined comeback in the 24-lap race to finish a respectable sixth. Melandri’s result was altered to fifth place soon afterwards, however, due to a separate incident between Honda riders Makoto Tamada and Sete Gibernau. Tamada clashed fairings with Gibernau on the last lap and the Japanese rider was disqualified shortly after the podium ceremony.

After his initial obstruction Fortuna Yamaha Team rider Melandri set the fastest lap of the race on just lap two. He then produced a string of competitive times up until the chequered flag in an effort to make up for lost time. By lap four he was 11th and by lap 13 the 250cc World Champion had moved up into sixth.

“I started quite well today but was forced wide. I saw Carlos come wide as well,” Melandri explained about the start of the race. “It felt like he touched me, I lost the rear and almost crashed, then ran into the gravel. It took a lot of time to get back onto the track, and when I did it took three or four corners to clean the tyres. I was really far behind the others but soon after I was back on the pace. I saw Valentino pass me later in the race and that helped me to catch Capirossi and Barros. I’m only disappointed because it took me a long time to catch them. Overall I’m quite pleased with the result considering what happened.”

It was a bitterly disappointing end to the weekend for Carlos Checa after a promising first two qualifying days. The Fortuna Yamaha rider displayed a good pace all weekend and even featured on provisional pole for some time during Friday’s session, only to end the race prematurely as a result of an incident beyond his control.

“I had a good start and was behind Valentino,” said a disenchanted Checa. “Then I got hit from behind at the first turn along with Bayliss, I think by Hopkins. I don’t really understand what happened but I’m so fed up after the hard work we’ve put in all weekend. There’s not a lot more I can say.”

“That was such a bad start to the race for us,” said a torn Davide Brivio. “We’re both upset for Carlos and pleased for Marco’s amazing recovery. We felt that both riders were going to have a good race today, and then Carlos was taken out at the very beginning. Marco was also affected but was able to come back with an impressive performance. I think the pace both riders showed this weekend could have allowed them to stay with the top group, if it hadn’t been for the incident on the first lap. This race could have been the turning point for us but unfortunately that’s the nature of racing. Let’s look to Malaysia where our newly improved engine performance may be even more useful.”

Max Biaggi (Honda) claimed a comfortable victory after Valentino Rossi (Honda) took an off-road excursion through the gravel trap at the first turn. The defending MotoGP World Champion escaped intact but had dropped back to eighth place. Over the remaining laps the Italian phenomenon reclaimed vast lost ground but eventually had to settle for second place. Local hero Makoto Tamada (Honda) completed the podium but was later disqualified, giving Nicky Hayden (Honda) third place.

RESULTS
1. Max Biaggi ITA Camel Pramac Pons HONDA 43:57.590
2. Valentino Rossi ITA Repsol HONDA +3.754
3. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol HONDA +5.641
4. Sete Gibernau SPA Telefonica Movistar HONDA +19.456
5. MARCO MELANDRI ITA Fortuna YAMAHA Team +19.909
6. Alex Barros BRA Gauloises YAMAHA Team +20.938
7. Tohru Ukawa JPN Camel Pramac Pons HONDA +22.307
8. Loris Capirossi ITA DUCATI Marlboro Team +27.887
9. Shinya Nakano JPN d’Antin YAMAHA Team +41.731
10. Akira Ryo JPN Team SUZUKI +50.106

DNF – CARLOS CHECA SPA Fortuna YAMAHA Team (fell out of race on first lap)

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1. Valentino Rossi 282
2. Sete Gibernau 224
3. Max Biaggi 199
4. Loris Capirossi 131
5. Troy Bayliss 112
6. Tohru Ukawa 103
7. Nicky Hayden 101
8. CARLOS CHECA 93
9. Alex Barros 90
10. Shinya Nakano 84
14. MARCO MELANDRI 40



More, from a press release issued by Harris WCM:

PACIFIC GRAND PRIX OF MOTEGI
Race Day
Sunday 5th October 2003

DAVID DE GEA: 20th
“It is good that I finished the race so I can give my team and Dunlop some feedback on the bike and tyres so we can improve some more for the next GP.

“I ended up riding the second bike for the race after some problems with the engine of my number one bike. During the race on about lap 5 or 6 I began having trouble with the bike sliding and the rear tyre was almost destroyed by the end of the race.”

CHRIS BURNS: DNF ­ Retired on Second Lap
“At the end of my first flying lap, I had no drive from the bike at all and I only just made it back to the pits. Seems like we have a problem with the clutch slipping.

I was hoping for so much today, having sorted some problems out from yesterday and in the warm-up session this morning, the bike was easier to ride then yesterday.

“It’s another huge disappointment for me. There are only three races left, I need to be out there on the track and finish at least one race this year. It’s hard for sure, but I just have to keep my chin up and get on with it.”

PETER CLIFFORD ­ (Team Manager)
“After a promising day on Saturday, the race result was certainly frustrating. We made a bit of a go for broke decision on David’s rear tyre choice and it didn’t pay off. We were in a bit of a nothing to lose situation and gambled.

“Chris’ run of bad luck just seems to continue but he is a lot more at home now on the motorcycle and is certainly due for a good weekend in Malaysia.”



More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

RYO SHOWS THE WAY AT MOTEGI

Sunday, October 5, 2003.

Team Suzuki rider Akira Ryo finished 10th in today’s Pacific GP, the top Suzuki finisher on a day that brought disaster to John Hopkins, who crashed out at the first corner.

Ryo, a wild card entry in his first race since last year’s Malaysian GP, was riding a development machine incorporating obviously promising new ideas and solutions. He finished five places ahead of team regular Kenny Roberts Jr., who was 15th.

Hopkins’s race lasted only a few hundred yards, ending in the gravel with three other riders after colliding in the way into the first corner. The 20-year-old Anglo-American rider took full blame for the crash, the result of his own excess enthusiasm after promising qualifying times and a good getaway from the line.

Ryo finished the first lap in 11th place, with Roberts 12th; but while the 2000 World Champion lost ground in the closing stages, experimental engine and chassis parts on full-time tester Ryo’s machine meant he was able to hold his own in a battle with Jacque and Nakano until the latter half of the race, when he paid the price of choosing a too-soft front tyre. Even so he managed to hold the position to the end.

Roberts dropped to 15th, but was circulating steadily, and lost the position only two laps from the end of the 24-lap race round the 4.801km circuit north-west of Tokyo.

The race was won by Max Biaggi, his first victory of the season, with defending champion and current points leader Valentino Rossi second, after earlier running off the track briefly.

The Pacific GP, 13th of 16 World Championship rounds, was run in sunny, dry conditions after rain overnight. Next weekend the GP circus moves to Malaysia, with the Australian GP one week later closing off a trio of gruelling back-to-back flyaway races before the finale in Spain.

AKIRA RYO – 10th Position
This is my first race after a blank year, and it was quite a strange feeling not to be riding alone as a tester. Among such good riders, I almost enjoyed it! I’m very happy to be the best Suzuki, proving that development is now going in the right direction. I chose a different front tyre for the race, a little bit softer, and really we needed more set-up time with it. In the second part of the race it was giving me problems turning into the corners … that’s why I lost touch with my closest rivals. I got a good start, but then I lost some positions in the first corner when I had to go wide to avoid the crash with John and the other riders. It was a difficult race for me.

KENNY ROBERTS Jr. – 15th Position
I finished right around where I expected – nothing flash. We need help from the factory. We had three different bikes out there, and still no results to speak of at the moment. If people are happy to be outside the top three, then there are some reasons to be happy. I’m not one of those people.

JOHN HOPKINS – Did not finish, crash
We’d been running pretty decent times all weekend, and I wanted the best start possible. I went into the first turn too hot, and there was nowhere to go except into Checa. I deeply apologise to him; I made a huge mistake. I also want to apologise to the other riders involved as well.

GARRY TAYLOR – Team Manager
With the level of the competition, you’ll never make any progress being a pussy on the first lap. Unfortunately sometimes this type of accident happens. John feels really bad about it. The important thing is nobody was hurt. Kenny had a tough weekend with the current bike. There were definitely some improvements here, but he wants a lot more, and so do the rest of the team. Ryo-San did a great job on the development bike, and proved there is more in the pipeline.



More, from a press release issued by Team Proton KR:

PROTON KR V5 IN THE POINTS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN JAPAN

Round 13: Pacific GP, Twin Ring Motegi Race: Sunday, October 5, 2003

Nobuatsu Aoki: 14th
Jeremy McWilliams: Did not finish – crash

Team Proton KR rider Nobuatsu Aoki claimed a landmark 14th place in today’s Pacific GP. It is enough to earn two World Championship points, the first for the 990cc four-stroke V5 machine, in only its seventh race.

The result came after a strong race, with the Japanese rider rewarding his home fans with a fighting performance. Hampered in the early stages with a heavy fuel load, Aoki dropped back to 16th. But as the fuel load lightened the handling of the British-built independent MotoGP racer improved, and in the last laps he was able to close on 2000 World Champion Kenny Roberts Jr., overtaking the factory Suzuki with two of 24 laps of the 4.801km circuit remaining. He finished 15th, but was promoted to 14th when third-placed Makoto Tamada was disqualified for irresponsible riding.

The points were not only a reward for many months of almost round-the-clock work, designing, building and developing the radical V5 at the races, in full view of the public; but also proof positive of a rapid rate of development from a rough prototype that ran on a race-track for the first time only in May.

But the day brought disappointment to second Proton rider Jeremy McWilliams. He had finished the first lap 14th, ahead of Aoki, and held the position on lap two. On the third lap, however, he ran out of brakes at one of the track’s many slow corners, and crashed out.

The race, run in dry and sunny conditions, was won by Max Biaggi, his first win of the season, after switching to Honda. Points leader and defending champion Valentino Rossi was second.

The next round is the Malaysian GP – home race for the machine, which is backed by Malaysian motor industry giant Proton.


NOBUATSU AOKI
That wasn’t an easy race. My back tyre was not working so well, but it seems everyone was having some problems with grip. For the first 15 laps I was struggling. With a heavy fuel load, the chassis was not working so well. In the last ten laps, the chassis was getting better and better, stopping and turning better. Then I could start to push. I could see Kenny Roberts Jr. in front, and he was 15th, and I really wanted the position to get in the points, so I was trying very hard. Then Olivier Jacque went onto the gravel and came back to the track to join the battle with us. I was able to follow him and improve my lap time by maybe half a second, and we caught Kenny. I finally passed him under braking for the first esses. Then on the last lap I started to suffer from fuel surging – but fortunately I was able to finish without losing the place. I really appreciate the efforts of the team, and the support from the Japanese spectators. And I am very pleased to score the first points for the four-stroke.

JEREMY McWILLIAMS
I’m not hurt, but I’m angry. I’ve been complaining about the brakes, but it seems I had to crash before anyone will heed me. The brake gets too hot because of the front mudguard, and I just had no brakes for the far hairpin. I’m glad I crashed there rather than at the bottom of the hill, because then people would have just said I was trying too hard.

KENNY ROBERTS – Team Owner
Getting in the points is a start. Nobu did a good job, and the team also. Jeremy is complaining about the brakes, and I guess it’s because of the front fender that they run too hot … but it makes the engine run cooler. We’re working at these things step by step, and we thought we had it solved. But apparently we haven’t. Jeremy uses the brakes a lot harder than Nobu. It’s one of those things.



More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing:

HONDA RACING INFORMATION

Pacific Grand Prix at Motegi
Raceday Sunday October 5

Track temperature: 29 degrees C
Humidity: 32%
Ambient temperature: 23 degrees C, bright sunshine, very light breeze

MAX BIAGGI WINS AS HONDA RIDERS NET TOP FOUR PLACES

Max Biaggi (Camel Pramac Pons RC211V) was way ahead of the controversy that was eventually to surround the Pacific Grand Prix when he won by 3.754 seconds from Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda RC211V) in front of 56,000 Japanese race fans in fine autumn weather. But although Makoto Tamada (Pramac Honda RC211V) crossed the line third after barging his way past Sete Gibernau (Telefonica Movistar Honda RC211V) on the final lap, the Japanese rider was later disqualified for what Race Direction described as “riding in an irresponsible manner.”

This elevated Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) to third and Gibernau to fourth although the Spaniard made the finish in fifth before the authorities stepped in. Gibernau, who did not make a protest, later said, “I’m sure it’s the correct decision, I don’t want revenge or anything.”

Gibernau had to take to the gravel trap after Tamada made contact with him in the downhill braking area to the second tunnel section and although he did not fall off, the move was deemed sufficiently beyond usual forceful racing manoeuvres to warrant a disqualification.

Race director Paul Butler said, “We want to give a message to the riders that these things (MotoGP bikes) are fast, heavy and dangerous. We’ve spoken to the rider and there was an element of ‘it’s a fair cop’ to his reaction.”

Tamada’s Pramac Honda Team appealed, but the appeal was thrown out by the FIM stewards. There was further off-track involvement when John Hopkins was served a ban from next weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix for a first turn, first lap incident when he collided with Carlos Checa (Yamaha) and Troy Bayliss (Ducati). Hopkins’ Suzuki Team appealed against the decision. The appeal was thrown out.

On track, events were typically compelling. The first turn incident and subsequent avoiding action taken by those who rode through it unscathed deprived the riders stationed behind the chaos of getting in touch with the early leaders. Gibernau made it out of turn one in the lead with Biaggi tucked in behind him, with Hayden, Rossi and Tamada in touch.

On lap three Biaggi took the lead from Gibernau and began to make a gap, which by lap six stood at 1.236 seconds on lap seven. Rossi was pushing hard in second having disposed of Hayden and Gibernau – hard enough to run wide at turn one on that lap and take to the gravel before rejoining the track in ninth place.

But the reigning World Champion set a fastest lap of 1.48.885 seconds on lap 16 as he dug deep to make up the final few yards on Biaggi’s immediate pursuers. He soon made short work of them taking Tamada on lap 18, Hayden on lap 19 and then Gibernau two turns after he’d disposed of his American Repsol team-mate.

But Biaggi had now carved out a 5.007 second lead over his pursuers and there was little even Rossi could do in the remaining four laps to put any real pressure on Biaggi, who was riding a composed and rapid race. He won with comparative ease, but no MotoGP win is ever easy.

“This was a tough and complicated race because the rhythm was fast from the start,” he said. “I made a good start and got ahead of Gibernau on the brakes. When I learned what happened to Rossi I just tried to maintain the rhythm and build up a good lead. Two laps from the end I nearly fell and it was a miracle I managed to stay on the bike. This has been one of the best Grands Prix of the year and I would like to dedicate it to Daijiro Kato.”

Rossi had to be content with extending his points advantage over title rival Gibernau. “After a few laps I made a mistake braking,” he said. “I went straight on and the situation was very bad with Gibernau in second place and me in ninth. After I recovered I made the fastest lap and got back to the second group. Now I’ll arrive in Malaysia with a big advantage.”

Hayden who was bounced up to third by the disqualification of Tamada was happier with his continued competitiveness at the front of the field than his inherited result. “It’s not the way I want to move up the tables,” said the American rookie. “I want a proper podium and that’s what I’ll be working for.”

Gibernau was sanguine about the result and happy to come away with what he did after suffering from a fever. “It was one of my most difficult races,” said the Spaniard. “Luckily I didn’t fall and I can look forward to the next race when I hope to be in better shape. I felt very weak when I got off the bike.”

Tamada said, “I know what I can do when braking and I’ve got a front tyre I can trust, so I decided to play all the cards I’ve got. When I saw that I was on the inside and half a length in front of Gibernau I started taking the corner. I’m sorry that Sete took exception to what I consider to be a normal race manoeuvre. I’m also upset about the sentence that I feel is exceptionally harsh.”

Tohru Ukawa (Camel Pramac Pons RC211V) finished eighth. “I didn’t make a great start,” he said. “But it wasn’t that bad either. What really affected my race was the incident involving Hopkins which made me lose touch with the leaders. I can’t be happy when I finish 20 seconds behind the winner.”

Ryuichi Kiyonari (Telefonica Movistar Honda RC211V) finished 18th. “I wasn’t able to set a good rhythm,” he said. “Luckily we don’t have to wait for two weeks until the next race because I’m keen to get on with things. As always I will give maximum effort in the last three races.”

Rossi leads the World Championship points table with 282 points to Gibernau’s 224, with Biaggi on 199 and Capirossi on 131.

HONDA TEAM QUOTES:

MotoGP:

Max Biaggi, Camel Pramac Pons: 1st: ” This was a tough, difficult and complicated race because of the rhythm throughout the race was very high. I made a good start and got ahead of Gibernau to take the lead. When I saw that Rossi had overshot the corner I maintained the rhythm to try and build up a good lead and not lose concentration for a second. Two laps from the end I nearly fell. I really thought I was going to ground as the bike wobbled, but it was a miracle that I managed to stay on the bike. I am obviously very happy and the team has worked really well this weekend. It has been one of the best Grand Prix of the year and I would like to dedicate it to Daijiro Kato.”

Valentino Rossi, Repsol Honda Team, 2nd: “After a few laps I make a mistake in the braking at the first corner. I lost the control of my bike. I go straight on at the corner and the situation was very bad with Gibernau in second place and me in ninth. After it was possible to recover. I ride well, make the fastest lap and it was possible to come back to the second group. At the end it was possible to overtake everyone and to make a good lap on the last lap. Also Sete have some problems so I recover some points. It is possible to arrive in Malaysia with a big advantage.”

Nicky Hayden , Repsol Honda Team: race 4th – elevated to 3rd after Tamada disqualification : “I just heard that Tamada has been disqualified and I guess that has moved me up to third. It’s not the way I want to move up the tables. I want a proper podium and that’s what I’ll be workin’ hard for. That was a wild race for sure! I wish I was scrapping for the win but I’m pretty happy with a season’s best placing. I was ridin’ real hard. Felt like a squirrel a few times. I was all over the place. I need to smooth things out a little bit. At the end of the race a made a little mistake and a gap opened between me and the Gibernau, Tamada fight. I would like to have been a little closer to take advantage but hay! I’m still learnin’ every week. Moved up the riders table as well in the right direction!”

Sete Gibernau, Telefonica MoviStar Honda: 4th: “I think it was one of my most difficult ever races. I was physically struggling all weekend – yesterday I had a 38º C fever and also this morning. In the race I gave everything but I could only see two metres ahead because my eyes were watering. In fact, I almost hit another rider several times because I couldn’t see. Despite my condition, the fantastic work by the team over the weekend allowed me to fight at the front. It is a shame that Tamada made what I thought was a dangerous move on the last lap. Luckily I didn’t fall and now I can look forward to the next race when I hope to be in better shape. Finally, I would like to thank the Clinica Mobile staff for their help leading up to the race and even afterwards, because I felt very weak when I got off the bike”.

Fausto Gresini Team Manager: “I was worried today because Sete had a fever today and yesterday, but he gave his all and had a great race. It was perfect until the last lap. It is a shame because I thought Tamada was out of order but the important thing is that Sete is okay. We have clearly not had much luck this weekend but now we have to put this behind us and think about the next race. Ryuichi pushed 100% and rode very well. He was brave and I salute him.”

Tohru Ukawa, Camel Pramac Pons: 8th: ” I did not make a good start, but it wasn’t bad either. What really affected my race was the incident involving Hopkins on the first corner, which made me lose touch with the leaders, and I was not able to reduce this difference during the rest of the race. The bike was sliding a lot in the inside of the corners, but I cannot be happy with the race when I finished 20 seconds behind the winner.”

Sito Pons: Team manager: ” I am very happy with this victory and especially for the fact that Max and the whole team have performed fantastically and I would like to really congratulate them on their great work. It seems like we are finally coming to terms with the new engine configuration and Max can ride, as he would like. It has certainly been the best race of the season so far. On the other hand, I feel sorry that Tohru could not round off the progress he has shown with a podium finish, but after his big crash on Friday he has not been 100% fit for the rest of the weekend.”

Ryuichi Kiyonari, Telefonica Movistar Honda: “I wasn’t a