Marco Simoncelli’s hopes of a top result went up in smoke today after just four laps of the Grand Prix of Portugal. ‘Super Sic’ made a mistake on the colder left-hand side of his tyre and was thrown into the gravel in the first real left-hand turn on the track. It was a shame for the weekend to end in this way for the young Italian, who had shown the potential to win the race during practice. However, a first prestigious result for the Team San Carlo Honda Gresini team this season is surely in the offing and the next opportunity comes in just two weeks time at Le Mans. Hiroshi Aoyama produced another solid ride to a valuable points finish, the Japanese rider taking seventh place to move up to seventh in the championship but just three points off fourth.
Hiroshi Aoyama (7th) ”First of all I have to say thanks to the team because they have done a great job in changeable weather over the weekend here at Estoril. I tried to stay as focused as possible in the race, which wasn’t easy at the start on cold tyres but after about five laps I started to get confident with them and the bike. At that point I was able to be more decisive and after a tough fight with Crutchlow all the way to the last lap I was able to secure seventh place. It is a positive result but we will try to do better still in the next race.”
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MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa Wins Portuguese Grand Prix
MotoGP: Portuguese Grand Prix - Race Results
Marco Simoncelli (DNF) “I am really disappointed for myself and for the team. I had a warning from the rear tyre coming out of turn one. I also saw Pedrosa and Stoner have trouble so I tried to stay calm and decided to take turn three in a higher gear to keep the engine sweet. I did the same in the next corner to make sure it wasn’t too aggressive but in the middle of the corner with the throttle closed I was thrown out of my seat and that was goodnight. I am really disappointed and I don’t know what else to say. For sure it was my mistake and I have to be more careful next time. It’s a shame because I was fast! We’ll try not to make any stupid mistakes at Le Mans. ”
Fausto Gresini “I am disappointed by Marco’s crash because hopes were high for him today, we knew he could be racing at the front and fighting for the podium if not the win. Unfortunately with these tyres it is not easy because they take a little time to get up to temperature. Marco had a crash that obviously nobody wanted and it’s a real shame because we know he has the potential to be a champion, so at the same time we have to look ahead to the next race. Hiroshi had a good race despite an uneasy start and showed once again that he is improving. He has brought home some good points in all three races so far and is only three points off third in the championship. His adaptation to MotoGP is progressing in the best way.”
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