Aoyama makes great fight-back to finish sixth

DANI PEDROSA

(2nd.): “It was a really nice race and I enjoyed it a lot. It was a real learning experience for me riding so hard on spent tyres. In the head-to-head with De Puniet he was passing me on top speed and on the brakes, whilst I was quicker through the corners and on acceleration with the worn tyre. On the last lap I tried everything – I knew I had to get to the stadium section first if I wanted to win but it wasn’t to be. In any case I am happy because we have completed our objectives – I had a good race, the bike was fantastic thanks to the hard work of my team and we are back on the podium. I have to thank the crowd for the incredible support they have given me all weekend”.

HIROSHI AOYAMA

(6th.): “I was way back on the grid and was relying on a good start but it didn’t work out that way and I found myself having to work really hard to get up to sixth place. I’m really happy with the way I lasted the race from a physical point of view – it was something I have been working on and I am improving. We’ll stay here for two days here now and hopefully we can make some progress on the set-up because Assen will be another tough one”.

ALBERTO PUIG

(Team Manager): “We are really happy with Dani’s race because he fought to the end and you can’t ask for any more that that. We saw a clear difference in the top speed of the bikes – De Puniet’s Aprilia was a bit stronger in that aspect. But the important thing is that Dani gave 120%, tried his best until the last lap and there’s nothing more to say other than thanks to him for a great effort. I am really happy with Hiro too – he was sixth and that makes the overall result a good one for the team”.

CATALUNYA GP CLASIFICATION

1   Randy de Puniet Aprilia 41:29.955

2. Dani Pedrosa Honda a 0”109

3. Toni Elías Honda a 9”521

4. Sebastián Porto Aprilia a 20”871

5. Fonsi Nieto Aprilia a 34”337

6. Hiroshi Aoyama Honda a 37”569

7. Sylvain Guintoli Aprilia a 42”087

8. Alex Debón Honda a 45”850

9. Anthony West Aprilia  a 45”938

10. Franco Battaini Aprilia a 46”235

250 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

1. Randy De Puniet Francia 98

2. Dani Pedrosa España 90

3. Sebastián Porto Argentina 63

4. Fonsi Nieto España 56

5. Toni Elías España 54

6 Roberto Rolfo Italia 41

7 Alex de Angelis San Marino 40

8 Alex Debón España 37

9 Anthony West Australia    36

10. Hiroshi Aoyama Japón 35