The two Ducati factory bikes really struggled at the twisty circuit. They may have the power, but they need to work on the handling. Both Casey Stoner and Loris Capirosi struggled. The two riders did seem to preserve their tyres well though, and Stoner ended the race fifth.
The rider of the race in my eyes though was Toni Elias. After starting in the fourth row on the grid he made some great moves on Stoner, Checa, Melandri and finally Hayden to finish as the next best Honda behind the leading three.
There were also some other interesting points to take away from this race. The Suzukis looked strong, and if John Hopkins had not come off in the quick Pons corner after passing Hayden, he would have finished in fourth, as he certainly had the better speed in the race.
Results
- Valentino Rossi (Fiat Yamaha)
- Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda)
- Colin Edwards (Fiat Yamaha)
- Toni Elias (Honda Gresini)
- Casey Stoner (Ducati Marlboro)
- Carlos Checa (Honda LCR)
- Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda)
- Marco Melandri (Honda Gresini)
- Chris Vermeulen (Rizla Suzuki)
- Shinya Nakano (Konica Minolta Honda)
- Alex Barros (Pramac d'Antin Ducati)
- Loris Capirossi (Ducati Marlboro)
- Randy De Puniet (Kawasaki)
- Makoto Tamada (Tech 3 Yamaha)
- Sylvain Guintoli (Tech 3 Yamaha)
- Kenny Roberts Jr (Team Roberts Honda)
- Kousuke Akiyoshi (Rizla Suzuki)
- Olivier Jacque (Kawasaki)
- John Hopkins (Rizla Suzuki)
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Article comments
1 - Alessandro Nicolo
Enlighten me here: Are the only manufactuers from Italy and Japan?
2 - Anka
In the gp class? Yes, I think only manufacturers from Italy and Japan. Of course you've got also KR team with their special bike which has honda's "heart" (engine).
But in 250cc there is also KTM (Austria) and in 125cc - Derbi (which I think is from Spain)
3 - alessandro nicolo
Thanks. And the other classes?