Mika Kallio’s debut as a rider for the works Ducati team at the Czech Grand Prix in Brno.
Kallio is deputising for the indisposed 2007 World Champion Casey Stoner of Australia, and his first MotoGP ride on the factory bike was eagerly awaited.
Unfortunately it all ended in tears - and nearly in fisticuffs. Kallio was lying in 8th place and in his own estimation had a chance of improving his position to 6th when he was shunted from behind by Marco Melandri (Kawasaki) going through the fast final chicane on the penultimate lap. Both riders ended up on the gravel and had to retire. Helsingin Sanomat
“The proof of that was when De Angelis had his problem and slowed down, I was able to pass him and improve my lap times by half a second to catch Nicky and Edwards.” siad Kalio
“Then came the crash with Melandri, who tried to pass me where it was impossible to, so that finally our lines crossed.”
“I was on the normal line and that’s why I was carrying so much more corner speed than him.”
“He’d come underneath fast but he had to slow down in the middle of the corner to make it through. The next thing we touched and I was down.”
Melandri saw the incident differently and he said: “I was passed him and then suddenly I got hit from behind.”
“I’m not sure how he can blame me when I was in front of him. Maybe when he watches the video he will change his mind.” Motorcycle News
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