Alex De Angelis took a starring role in the Grand Prix of Germany in wet conditions at the Sachsenring today. The San Marino splashed his way through his first wet MotoGP race to mount an incredible challenge for the podium, taking his Bridgestone-shod Honda RC212V all the way to fourth place after an exciting battle with Chris Vermeulen for third.
Nakano picked up more important championship points by coming home in ninth place.
Alex De Angelis (4th):
“Considering the dreadful weather today, the last thing I expected was to be fighting for the podium. Of course, I thought I could have a good race but for me that meant fighting for eighth or ninth place, so to finish fourth is very satisfying – even if a podium wouldn’t have been bad either! I went for it but I was held up at the end by Elias – both Vermeulen and myself were forced to change our line to get around him. It’s a shame because I was really strong in T3 and I could have tried something at the top of the hill. Anyway, I’m happy with my race because I didn’t have any bad moments, I got a good feeling straight away and feel I rode really well.”
Shinya Nakano (9th):
“I’m really disappointed with this result; unfortunately I didn’t manage to find a good feeling with the bike at the start of the race. I lost grip on the front for a couple of laps and just wasn’t comfortable in those conditions generally. I tried to keep my pace up but the amount of water on the track made it really difficult for me. I’m disappointed for the team but looking ahead to the next race at Laguna Seca with optimism.”
Fausto Gresini - Team manager:
“That was a great race, in which Alex showed his potential in wet conditions. We knew that he could go well here – it’s just a shame about his result in qualifying yesterday because it’s not easy to start from the back, especially in MotoGP, where everybody is so fast. Despite everything Alex came within a whisker of the podium after a battle with Vermeulen, who is an expert in the wet, and fourth place is important for Alex’s confidence and for that of the whole team. We’ve actually been working well in practice since Mugello but without getting the results to go with it. Unfortunately Shinya couldn’t get a good feeling in the wet, especially on the front, and it was a case of damage limitation. I’m disappointed because it looked as though he could also have a good race but I’m convinced he will have another opportunity to show his potential soon. Now we have to keep working like this to score similar results and maybe even the odd podium, which to be honest we are missing. Congratulations to Alex and the whole team.”
| 
|