The historic Assen circuit today celebrated its 75th birthday with another spectacular MotoGP race, with Marco Melandri one of the main stars of the show.

The Italian Movistar rider clinched second place to ensure his best result so far in the premier class at the circuit where he celebrated his first ever victory in the 125cc class in 1998.

Marco Melandri started from the front row and led for the opening nine laps, improving his pace when he was passed by Valentino Rossi. Marco never lost contact with the leader and celebrated second place on the podium as if it were a victory. The result means he remains second in the MotoGP World Championship on 107 points.

Sete Gibernau made a good start but began to lose positions and eventually had to settle for fifth place in the seventh round of the season. The team were unable to find the ideal setting for a Grand Prix that began with a health scare for his Chief Mechanic Juan Martínez. Sete was unable to repeat his pace from qualifying in the race and remains fourth in the championship standings.

MARCO MELANDRI (2nd):  “I’m really happy because this is my best result in MotoGP and to have done it at this circuit is very important. It was a very tough race. At the start I was able to take the lead and stay there until halfway through the race, when I was passed by Valentino. I stayed just behind him and set a good pace but made a small mistake that cost me around eight tenths and I had to try and recover. At the end when I saw Rossi pushing so hard I decided not to risk more than necessary and took a second place which is brilliant for everybody. I want to say thanks to the team, Honda and Michelin for the great job they have done.”

SETE GIBERNAU (5th): “That was one of the worst races we’ve had recently. We didn’t do badly in practice despite the way the weekend started but I couldn’t do any more than that in the race. I almost crashed on several occassions and, luckily, we were able to finish but I can’t hide that I am tremendously dissatisfied. I hope to turn the situation around in Laguna Seca”.

FAUSTO GRESINI (Team manager): “It was a bittersweet Grand Prix for the team. Marco had his best race of the season, fighting with Valentino until the end and showing how much he has grown. It was a shame for Sete that he wasn’t able to have a race in line with his true level.”

DUTCH TT

1. V.Rossi (Ita/Yam) 38’41”808
2. M. Melandri (Ita/Hon) + 1”583
3. C. Edwards (USA/Yam) + 7”643
4. N. Hayden (USA/Hon) + 10”128
5. S. Gibernau (Esp/Hon) + 14”795
6. M. Biaggi (Ita/Hon) + 21”575
7. A. Barros (Bra/Hon) + 22”725

MOTOGP

1. Valentino Rossi 170 points
2. Marco Melandri107 points
3. Max Biaggi  87 points
4. Sete Gibernau 84 points
5. Alex Barros 74 points
6. Colin Edwards 73 points
7. Nicky Hayden  60 points