Victory at the Czech Republic Grand Prix once again slipped through Sete Gibernau’s fingers on the final lap of a race which he fought for at a frenetic pace with Valentino Rossi.

Starting from pole position, Gibernau took the lead and was in with a great chance until the end, when a problem with the electronic fuel control system forced him to retire just three corners from the end.

It wasn’t a good day for his team-mate Marco Melandri either. The Italian was unable to stay in touch with the lead group after a good start and he ended the race in sixth place. Marco also lost second place in the championship at Brno and he now lies third behind Valentino Rossi and Max Biaggi, with Sete dropping two places to fifth.

The Movistar Honda team will remain at Brno for two days of tests before heading off for the ‘flyaway’ races outside Europe.

 SETE GIBERNAU (retired): “Another negative day after a weekend in which we have done a great job during qualifying. This morning we had a good rhythm in the warm up with some low 1’58s, a pace I knew would allow me to fight for the win. In the race I wasn’t able to set the same pace and that was the main problem. In the first three laps I first noticed the problem that eventaully prevented me from finishing the race, which topped it off. I’m really disappointed because once again I gave it everything I had and it’s a shame to end the race in this way.”

 MARCO MELANDRI (6th): “This morning we made a few changes to the bike and I set a good pace that gave me confidence for the race. I got a good start and forced my way into the lead group but over the first few laps I started to lose traction. I pushed my rhythm to try and stay near the front but I really punished the front tyre. From there on I just tried to finish the race. The two days of tests will be really important ahead of Motegi”.

CLASSIFICATION

1. V. Rossi (Ita/Yam)   43’56”539

2. L. Capirossi (Ita/Duc)  + 1”837

3. M. Biaggi (Ita/Hon)  + 3”444

4. A. Barros (Bra/Hon) + 4”148

5. N. Hayden (USA/Hon) + 4”363

6. M. Melandri (Ita/Hon) + 11”150

 

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

1. Valentino Rossi 261 points
2. Max Biaggi  129 points
3. Marco Melandri  126 points
4. Colin Edwards  123 points
5. Sete Gibernau  115 points
6. Alex Barros  114 points