Colin Edwards takes an important step forward after finsihing fifth in a hard race

Sete Gibernau took his second successive victory in the Grand Prix of France – his third podium finish in three races – which enabled him to stretch his lead at the top of the World Championship table to 10 points over Max Biaggi. The Telefonica Movistar Honda MotoGP rider overcame ‘flu and some problems with his tyres to win at a circuit he also triumphed at last year. Colin Edwards clinched his best weekend to date with a fifth-placed finish that will give him real hope of now pushing on to claim a podium finish at the next race in Italy.

SETE GIBERNAU

(1^st): “This is incredible. We have done some fantastic work and I must thank my entire team – if I win it is because I have the best team in the world. The help of Honda and Michelin has been unbelieveable in what is such a difficult and demanding season. I raced with a temperature of 38 degrees and at the end it was very hard for me, although I don’t want to say this really held me back. In the first few laps I realised we had not chosen the ideal tyre; I followed Carlos (Checa), studied what he was doing and was able to get past him after using all the information I had gathered. I maintained a good rhythm and, with a lot of concentration, was able to win. The best thing about this start to the season is that even though we have not been at our best we have won two races and we got on the podium in the other one. I feel strong, but I know that I can still give more. The best from me and the bike is still to come, but from this race I know what our strong points are and what we must improve on.”

COLIN EDWARDS

(5^th) : “I am having a few problems when the temperature goes up and I didn’t have the right set-up for the race despite some fairly positive qualifying sessions. I am using the same fork I had in Superbikes in 2002 because I felt comfortable with it in preseason but we’re going to have to change. At Clermont Ferrand we’ll test the new fork and hopefully at Mugello, a circuit I know well, that translates into results”.

FAUSTO GRESINI

(Team manager): “It was a fantastic and very difficult race. Sete showed that he also has enormous potential in the dry conditions. He is a great professional with incredible concentration and he rode extremely quickly despite the fever. Colin also had a good weekend, setting pole on Friday, fifth on Saturday and second in the warm-up – although he didn’t have the right set-up for the race. Considering everything he has taken an important step forward”.

OFFICIAL CLASSIFICATION

1. Sete Gibernau (Honda) 44’22”750
2. Carlos Checa (Yamaha) a 1”671
3. Max Biaggi (Honda) a 1”908
4. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) a 4”272
5. Colin Edwards (Honda) a 15”755

 MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

1        Sete Gibernau (Espańa) 66 points

2        Max Biaggi (Italia) 56 points

3        Valentino Rossi (Italia) 51 points

4        Alex Barros (Honda) 38 points

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