Loris Capirossi and Álvaro Bautista both crashed out of today’s Czech Republic Grand Prix at either end of the 22-lap race with both riders able to walk away uninjured from their respective incidents.
Capirossi got a poor start from 10th on the grid as another rider hit the left-hand-side of his bike on the first lap and knocked his clutch lever out of position. The Italian had to hit the lever to get it back into place, but the running repairs cost him time and he was relegated to last position. Capirossi quickly regained his composure and passed four riders in quick succession and looked like making a concerted attack through the field, but unfortunately he lost front grip on turn 12 and slid into the gravel with no hope of re-mounting and continuing the race.
Bautista battled heroically for the whole 22-laps as he fought against the pain caused by yesterday’s huge high-side and the other riders on track. Despite starting from the back of the grid he caught the battle for eighth position before the half-way point of the race. Bautista was fighting with the group and as the last lap arrived he was close enough to challenge Marco Simoncelli. He made a strong passing manoeuvre in the last corner and although he got past Simoncelli he lost the front of the bike and also slid into the gravel – as Capirossi had done earlier. Bautista was visibly disappointed with the outcome of the race after such a brave effort had proved fruitless in the end.
Today’s Brno Grand Prix was watched by nearly 150,000 people at trackside and they witnessed Jorge Lorenzo provide another commanding performance on his Yamaha to win his seventh race of the season and strengthen his grip at the top of the championship.
Rizla Suzuki will remain at Brno for a full day’s testing tomorrow as they try to unlock the potential of the Suzuki GSV-R and put today’s frustrations behind them. The next round of the MotoGP World Championship will require another crossing of the Atlantic, as the field prepares to line-up for the Indianapolis Grand Prix in America on Sunday 29th August.
Loris Capirossi:
“I am so upset by today’s race because I know I could have had a good result here. I got hit on the first lap by another rider and that pushed my clutch lever right up, so I had to hit it to get it into place and by the time I had done that I was last. I easily passed four riders and I felt my pace was very fast, but then in turn 12 of the second lap I lost the front and crashed. I don’t know what happened because I wasn’t braking and I didn’t turn in too quickly, I just lost grip and went into the gravel. I am sorry for the whole team because they are working so hard and getting nothing. This has not been the weekend we wanted or deserved, so we will need to start work again tomorrow in the test and see if we can start to turn things around – the potential was really good today.”
Álvaro Bautista:
“The crash was a big disappointment for me as I went to overtake Simoncelli, because at the beginning of race I didn’t know what my condition would be at the end and I was pleased that I felt strong enough to make the move. The first few laps were difficult because I’d only had about 40 minutes of dry practice all weekend and needed to get my reference points sorted out. The pain was horrible but I was able to start to push and in the middle of the race I was in the group challenging for eighth position, which was not too bad. After about half of the race my body started to tire and although I was pushing to the maximum, when I came up to other riders it was difficult to pass because I was at my physical limit. I would have liked to finish this race as this is now three consecutive races that I have failed to complete. The rest of the race was not too bad and compared to other riders my rhythm was good. I hope for the next race in America to make a complete weekend and continue with my progression in MotoGP.”
Paul Denning – Team Manager:
“In sport you have to make your own luck, but it really feels like we need to go to a Church and have a word with someone who can maybe help us out a little bit! Absolutely nothing seemed to go right here at Brno and the most disappointing thing is that without question the bike and riders had the capability to challenge for a top-six position. Álvaro made a heroic effort, we have to remember that he was in great discomfort and had only spent about 45 minutes practice time in the dry compared to everyone else’s three hours. Once he found his rhythm the bike was working well, his speed was good and he’d clawed his way into contention for an excellent finish. His commitment to catching and passing Simoncelli on the last lap was obvious and he nearly made it happen, but asked a bit too much of the front tyre in the final left. It was extremely disappointing, but we have to respect a superb effort.
“Loris’s race should have been his best of the season, the bike felt right and after he was knocked back to last place he looked like he could pass other riders with ease. He said the bike and feedback from it was the best he’d felt all year.
“The result today doesn’t reflect anywhere near our potential and we’re going to work positively at the test tomorrow and set our sights on realising the true capability of the GSV-R, Loris and Álvaro for the rest of the season.”
Cardion AB Grand Prix Ceské Republicky Race Classification:
1. Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) 43’22.638: 2. Dani Pedrosa (Honda) +5.494: 3. Casey Stoner (Ducati) +11.426: 4. Ben Spies (Yamaha) +13.723: 5. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) +17.930: DNF. LORIS CAPIROSSI (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP): DNF. ÁLVARO BAUTISTA (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP):
World Championship Classification:
1. Lorenzo 235: 2. Pedrosa 158: 3. Stoner 119: 4. Andrea Dovizioso (Honda) 115: 5. Rossi 101: 13. LORIS CAPIROSSI (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) 36: 16: ÁLVARO BAUTISTA (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) 25:
