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ITALIAN HOMECOMING AND HONDA FAREWELLS FOR GRESINI PAIR
(MotoGP Release) Outgoing Gresini Honda riders Marco Melandri and Toni Elias leave both the satellite team and the Japanese factory after a final race together at Valencia, keen to finish off what has been a mixed season for the pairing. Melandri, who parts ways with Fausto Gresini’s team after three years together in MotoGP, is a previous winner in the premier class at Valencia, whilst Elias is riding at his home track. “I’d like to finish off the season with another good result,” says Melandri, who could only be beaten by future team-mate and 2007 World Champion Casey Stoner at the last round in Sepang. “I’ve got some great memories of this circuit, especially my victory there in 2005. Second place in Malaysia at a circuit where I’ve never scored good results in the past and where it looked as though the characteristics of the track would not suit my bike or riding style have given me an extra boost. The package of bike and tires worked perfectly there and I’m confident. My aim is to confirm fourth place in the championship and give Fausto and the team one last reason to celebrate after three great years together.” Like Melandri, Elias has seen his season blighted by injury –specifically a broken leg suffered at Assen which put him out of action for three rounds of the MotoGP World Championship. Whilst his current team-mate moves to the Ducati factory team next season, it was announced last week that the Spaniard would also be riding a Desmosedici in 2008, thanks to his being recruited by Luis d’Antin’s satellite squad alongside Sylvain Guintoli. “I can’t wait to race in front of my home fans for the third time this season,” says local boy Elias. “The backing of the Spanish fans always gives me an extra push and I usually need it at this circuit because it isn’t amongst my favorites, with its twisty layout and lack of fast sections. I don’t like the track but that’s not a problem because I am racing in Spain and the atmosphere will be incredible with that level of support. Hopefully we can work well all weekend and get in the right shape to put on another good show." MELANDRI PERFORMANCE ELATES ITALIAN CROWD
(MotoGP Release) Honda Gresini rider Marco Melandri delighted a Misano crowd of around 60,000 MotoGP-mad Italian fans on Sunday with a brave performance which saw him cross the line fourth after driving through the field from 12th on the grid. While the Gran Premio Cinzano di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini did not go according to plan for his compatriot Valentino Rossi who retired after five laps in his home race, there was still reason for the Italians to cheer as Melandri delivered the goods. Despite a series of recent setbacks, including a broken ankle from Laguna Seca, a painful neck condition which prevented his race participation at Brno and a spectacular crash on Saturday in Italy, Melandri was still in a highly competitive mood. The Ducati-bound 25 year-old remains sixth in the World Championship - now on 126 points - and with a good chance of still finishing as high as third overall. In the 13th race of the year yesterday, he got away well from the fourth row of the grid and was soon up to ninth, before getting the better of Anthony West, Colin Edwards and Loris Capirossi as he stormed through to fourth place. Commenting on his success, Melandri said: “It's been the best race I could imagine, because my condition wasn't so good before the weekend. I made a stupid mistake of Saturday with a very big crash, so I've been racing just because Dr Costa gave me a very good hand and I have to appreciate my team's input as they gave me a very good bike and very good tires.” Melandri remains at Misano on Monday for a day of tests. NECK SURGERY NOT REQUIRED FOR MELANDRI
(MotoGP Release) Having missed the action at Brno last weekend due to the pain caused by a discal hernia affecting his neck, the Honda Gresini rider Marco Melandri underwent further medical assessment in Imola yesterday with some positive initial results. The 25 year-old Italian had the initial diagnosis from Clinica Mobile in the Czech Republic - an exposed hernia between the 5th and 6th cervical vertebrae – confirmed by MRI scan and examination by Doctor Claudio Costa and local specialist Doctor Carlo Bollini. Any requirement for immediate surgery was ruled out and it is hoped that with a period of complete rest Melandri will be able to take part in the San Marino Grand Prix in ten days time. Doctor Costa commented: "Not to race in Brno was the correct decision. There are signs of regression of the hernia and now there's nothing to do but continue with the therapy and keep Marco absolutely quiet for the following week. If everything goes to plan, he will be ok for the Misano race." An obviously relieved Melandri stated: "I'm happy with this latest news. I'll have several days of complete rest to make this hernia regress some more and try to get fit for the Misano Grand Prix." MELANDRI RECEIVES BRNO K.O.?
(MotoGP Release) Marco Melandri is facing an uphill struggle to be fit for tommorrow's race at Brno, having missed the last two free practice sessions in the Czech Republic. The Italian had been expected to make a return this morning after skipping yesterday afternoon's outing with a neck injury. His condition had not improved significantly enough for him to get back onboard the Honda RC212V. The Italian has been receiving full massage treatment whilst the other riders have been undertaking laps of the Brno circuit. MELANDRI MISSES 2nd CZECH SESSION
(MotoGP Release) Marco Melandri’s first day at the Cardion ab Grand Prix Ceske republiky saw him visiting Clinica Mobile again, but with a complaint not thought to be linked to the broken ankle sustained at Laguna Seca from which he is still recovering. The Honda Gresini rider did not participate in the MotoGP second free practice session on Friday afternoon at Brno after he began to experience violent neck pains in the morning practice. Melandri ended up 15th on the timesheet in FP1 having completed only 18 laps of the historic Brno circuit and will hope that on Saturday he is able to return to the track despite the neck condition and his ankle problem. The Ducati-bound 25 year-old is one of the toughest characters in the MotoGP paddock – his hardman reputation only enhanced by his heroic third place finish at Laguna Seca which he achieved after breaking his ankle in qualifying. He received treatment on Friday afternoon on what is described as severe ‘C5-C6 cervicalgia’ on the left side of his neck, but it was felt he could not safely take part in FP2, so he will aim to rest up overnight and get back to business on Saturday morning. Melandri has previously experienced neck difficulties when he was involved in a massive crash last year in Catalunya. CAPIROSSI LEAVES DUCATI - GOES TO SUZUKI IN 2008
(Moto GP Release) Loris Capirossi has ended speculation about his destination for 2008 by announcing a one year deal with Suzuki, with an option for a second year. The Italian veteran’s decision was made public in a press conference held at the Brno circuit in his current team Ducati’s hospitality area, where he was later joined by boss Livio Suppo as he explained his decision. “I have a good feeling about Suzuki; they have a lot of 500cc titles and it means I will still be riding for a factory team, which was important,” said the 34 year old. “I spoke with them, Kawasaki and with Ducati, but I decided to leave because I was only going to be able to ride for the d’Antin satellite team if I had stayed. I have a new toy now, and I’m optimistic about it.” Whilst Capirossi has struggled with the Desmosedici GP7, he does not believe that he will experience the same difficulties with his 2008 ride, noting that “every bike is different, so the same problems won’t be there for me.” The former 250cc World Champion leaves behind a massive legacy at Ducati, having been with the factory since their arrival in MotoGP. As he noted in the press conference, he is the only current rider to have competed for five years in the same team, and took Ducati’s only victories until the end of the 2006 season. Whilst team-mate Casey Stoner has been the more successful of the 2007 line up, Capirossi was quick to emphasise that his decision was not a result of Stoner’s success. “I get on really well with Stoner and he is a great guy. My decision has nothing to do with Casey’s performances this year or anything like that.” As the press conference concluded, Livio Suppo paid tribute to Capirossi and put an end to any media speculation that their relationship had soured. “I want to thank Loris, because without him we probably would not be here. Always at the end of a relationship there are some disagreements, but this is life and we respect each other tremendously,” explained Suppo. “We have had good times and bad times, but far more good times.” Capirossi will see out the rest of the season with Ducati, and has been given permission to test with Suzuki before the end of 2007. MARCO MELANDRI MOVES TO DUCATI IN 2008
(Ducati Release)
The Ducati Team announces that Casey Stoner and Marco Melandri will be its
riders for the next two seasons of the MotoGP World Championship. MARCO MELANDRI TAKES 3RD AT LAGUNA SECA
(July 22, 2007) Marco
Melandri produced one of the best performances of the season today as he
charged to the podium at Laguna Seca despite suffering from the effects
of a badly swollen ankle. The Gresini Honda rider sat out this
morning's warm up because of the pain of the injury he sustained during
qualifying yesterday, when he collided with Kurtis Roberts and fell
heavily from his RC212V.
However,
after bouncing back in that session to qualify in tenth place, he once
again showed his fighting spirit today - undergoing painkilling
injections before straddling his Honda for 32 grueling laps. Melandri
made an incredible start to the race, making up four positions on the
first lap and settling into the chasing pack as Casey Stoner set the
pace at the front.
As
the race wore on, Melandri got the better of Colin Edwards before
passing Valentino Rossi and Dani Pedrosa and securing a comfortable
podium finish in third place. The result moves him up to fifth in the
championship going into the summer break, with the next round taking
place at Brno on August 19th, when the team hope to have Toni Elias
back as Melandri's team-mate.
The
place of the injured Spaniard was taken this weekend by Canadian
veteran Miguel Duhamel, who retired from the race after ten laps. MARCO MELANDRI (3rd in the race, 5th in the championship on 113 points): "It was an amazing race for me - it's unbelievable to be on the podium. I couldn't actually ride this morning without an injection for the pain and I just have to say a very big thanks to all the Clinica Mobile - Doctor Costa, the therapist Francesco Chionne and Doctor Monica. They gave me very good treatment before the race so there was no pain when I was riding. At the beginning I just tried to keep my rhythm and it was pretty good for me. I wasn't so comfortable on the bike at the beginning but in the end my rhythm was okay. Just the last five or six laps I started to feel a bit of pain in my ankle so I couldn't downshift so good but it's been a great race and a very good emotion for me to be on the podium. I just want to thank all my team, all my guys and all my sponsors - they are working so good." |
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