Colin Edwards suffers from traction problems
The Valencian Grand Prix did not do justice to the Telefónica MoviStar Honda team, with Sete Gibernau hoping to end the season with another victory but having to settle for fourth whilst Colin Edwards signed off from the team with eighth. A mistake with the rear tyre choice, taking a harder compound in anticipation of rising temperatures, left Sete out of the fight for podium positions. A third of the way into the race, the Spaniard began to recover ground but it was too late. Sete was disappointed not to offer a better result to the Spanish fans but reflected positively on the work done in a season which has seen him take a prestigious runner-up spot for the second successive year. Colin Edwards said goodbye to the team with eighth place and fifth overall in the championship.
SETE GIBERNAU
(4th, + 6”128): “We have two things to relfect on today – one being the season and also the race. We had a really good first half of the season and from Brno onwards a few problems have prevented us from fighting for the championship. We have to be self-critical about the things we could have controlled and the things we couldn’t in order to be in a stronger position next season. In this race we made a completely wrong rear tyre choice and that is our responsibility. We were the only ones to pick a hard tyre, thinking that the temperature would rise, and it didn’t. That was why I lost the race oin the first few laps. It’s a real shame because I would have liked to have put on a better show for the crowd here.”
COLIN EDWARDS
(8th, + 27”441): “We made a good start, but we didn’t choose the right tyre and there was no traction. The bike was sliding from the start and it was impossible to make up positions. It’s a real pity because I wanted to dedicate a good result to the team in my last race.”
FAUSTO GRESINI
(Team manager): “It was a strange race and we haven’t got the results we were hoping for. But overall it’s been a positive season for us – I want to congratulate my two riders, starting with Sete, who had some brilliant races and finished as the runner-up, and also Colin who did a good job for us. I wish him all the best for the future. Our objective is to continue to improve day by day.”
VALENCIA GP
- Valentino Rossi (Ita/Yamaha) 47’16”145
- Max Biaggi (Ita/Honda) + 0”425
- Troy Bayliss (Aus/Ducati) + 3”133
- Sete Gibernau (Esp/Honda) + 6”128
- Makoto Tamada (Jap/Honda) + 7”768
...
8. Colin Edwards (USA/Honda) + 27”441
MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
- Valentino Rossi 304 p.
- Sete Gibernau 257 p.
- Max Biaggi 217 p.
- Alex Barros 165 p.
- Colin Edwards 157 p.