DANI PEDROSA

(2nd.): “This is a more than satisfactory second place. I knew that it would be a tough race for my Honda and for me. I was fighting in the lead group with Porto and De Puniet, but the front tyre couldn’t take it, so I decided to hold my advantage over Poggiali and make sure of the podium, even though De Puniet’s problem at the end allowed me to take second. The next race is right next to my house and we will continue to work along the same lines”.

HIROSHI AOYAMA

(9th.): “The bike and the tyres were perfect but I made a few mistakes on the opening laps that made me lose ground with lead group. On a positive note I have learnt a lot on one of the most difficult tracks on the calendar and this experience will help me a lot next year. Now we go to Barcelona, which is my second home because I am living there now. It is a track I already know so I am hopeful of a good result”.

ALBERTO PUIG

(Team Manager): “Dani had a great race. At the end the front tyre went off and he was right not to push. Second place is a lot better than we expected and we are very satisfied. De Puniet’s problem helped us out but this sort of thing happens in racing. As far as Hiroshi is concerned, he is continuing to mature, this was a difficult track which we all knew and he knew to take things steady here”.

ITALIAN GP CLASIFICATION

1   Sebastián Porto Aprilia 40:32.672

2. Dani Pedrosa Honda a 6”147

3. Manuel Poggiali Aprilia a 8”415

4. Randy De Puniet Aprilia a 11”226

5   Fonsi Nieto Aprilia a 11.876

6   Toni Elias Honda a 11.888

7. Roberto Rolfo Honda a 24”398

8. Alex De Angelis Aprilia a 27”550

9. Hiroshi Aoyama Honda a 28”126

250 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

1. Randy de Puniet   Francia 73

2. Dani Pedrosa España 70

3. Sebastián porto Argentina 50

4. Fonsi Nieto España 45

5. Roberto Rolfo Italia 41

6. Alex de Angelis San Marino 40

7. Toni Elias  España 38

8. Manuel Poggiali San Marino 29