The Movistar Honda MotoGP team led by Fausto Gresini celebrated their 150th Grand Prix in style today with a double podium at Catalunya, where Sete Gibernau and Marco Melandri finished second and third respectively.

Both Movistar riders started from the front row of the grid and set the pace in the race, with Sete Gibernau imposing an intense rhythm in the second half that only Valentino Rossi could follow. Sete led the way for the majority of the race (18 of the 25 laps) with a consistent pace in the low 1’43s - well inside the circuit record.  The Spanish rider was roared on to second place by 105,600 fans,  a record crowd at the Montmelò circuit.

Marco Melandri made a perfect start and, after leading the way for three laps in the opening stages, tried his best to stick with the pacesetters at the front. Later, the battle with Hayden and Barros for third place cost him valuable time and he eventually lost touch with Valentino Rossi and Sete Gibernau. However, Marco held his concentration and focused on his main objective – a third podium finish of the season.

SETE GIBERNAU (2nd): “The team have done a great job and I had a good feeling with the bike today. I set a good pace over the opening laps which gave me a couple of tenths advantage and allowed me to lead for the majority of the race. Unfortunately the rear of the bike started to slide around a lot over the last eight laps and I wasn’t able to maintain my pace. I’m disappointed for the fans, who have given me great support all weekend, but I’m sure they enjoyed the excitement in the race and a great show all round.”

MARCO MELANDRI (3rd): “It was a tough but incredible race for me. I got a good start and tried to stay with the lead riders over the opening laps. I had a good pace and even managed to lead for a few laps but I ran wide when Nicky Hayden passed me and Barros also came through to send me back to fifth place. The fight with Barros and Nicky for third meant that I lost contact with the front two and I was never able to make the ground up. It’s a real shame because I had a good feeling with the bike and I felt ready to fight for the win. Even so, I am really happy with third place. I won a personal battle today – my race pace was much better compared to Mugello and the podium confirms that we are getting constantly better. I want to say a special thanks to the whole team, to Fausto and to Michelin.”

RACE CLASSIFICATION
1. Valentino Rossi (Ita/Yamaha) 43’16.487
2. Sete Gibernau (Sp/Honda) +1.094
3. Marco Melandri (Ita/Honda) +7.810
4. Alex Barros (Bra/Honda) +8.204
5. Nicky Hayden (USA/Honda) +8.273

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
1. Valentino Rossi (Ita/Yamaha) 145 p.
2. Marco Melandri (Ita/Honda) 87
3. Max Biaggi (Ita/Honda) 77
4. Sete Gibernau (Sp/Honda) 73
5. Alex Barros (Bra/Honda) 65