MotoGP: Dutch TT to Rossi and Yamaha

from Motorcycles (358 articles)

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Alex Barros, Camel Honda, 7th: “Today’s race was frankly terrible for me, because I was never able to ride as I would have liked and as I had done up to that point. Unfortunately the tyre I chose, and the one which went well yesterday, wasn’t suited to the asphalt which was a lot colder after the overnight rain and the storms this morning. Instead, in the race I found myself without grip on the rear tyre. I chose not to take the harder tyre that Rossi, Melandri and Edwards probably used, I think Hayden maybe too, because it didn’t work for me in practice. This was an erroneous decision. I was hoping that with a few laps heating up it would have worked better, but instead I was never able to ride at the pace I did on the first two days, not even when I managed to get past the first group of riders and had a clear track ahead of me.”

Shinya Nakano, Team Kawasaki, 8th: "I'm frustrated because for a few laps I could race with the top guys and it was very enjoyable. But then it was difficult to improve my lap times, even though I could carry good corner speed. I was being passed on the straights, and for sure, we need to find some more top end power. I used a slightly softer rear tyre and it stayed consistent, but I want to be up in the top five racing the other guys. I lost a lot of time in the battle with Capirossi, but I'm happy to be the first Bridgestone rider over the line."

Ichiro Yoda, Team Kawasaki, Technical Director: "Shinya was again the best Bridgestone rider, but two things are clear after this race. We have to speed up the pace of engine development, especially for the power circuits later in season, such as Brno. Also, we need to work closely with Bridgestone to improve the competitiveness of our bike and tyre package."

Harald Eckl, Team Kawasaki, Team Manager: "A top eight finish is what I thought was possible today, and Shinya achieved that with another excellent performance, although he raced hard and probably deserved a better result. Shinya delivered a 110% effort. And Alex has every right to be very disappointed in missing what could have been a top ten position. He was racing strongly, catching Shinya and matching his times, when his bike stopped."

Carlos Checa, Ducati Marlboro Team, ninth place: "My biggest problem was after the start. This track is so twisty that it's really difficult to overtake or even keep your position if you're right in the middle of the pack. Eventually I was able to pass a few riders, then my lap times weren't so bad. As the fuel load lessened, the bike felt better, so I had more confidence in the corner entries. Then I was able to catch and pass a few more riders, until the grip went down and the bike started moving around, which seemed to happen to everyone. Today this was the best we could do. All I can say is that I hope that the information I give to the team will help us improve for the next few races."

Loris Capirossi Ducati Marlboro Team, tenth place: "Some riders are used to finishing well back and are okay with that, but I'm neither used to this nor happy about it. This was a bad race - the first few laps were okay but then the fun finished and the risk began. I don't want to accuse anyone, the bike is okay and the team is working so hard. Also, I see that Bridgestone are working very hard. We use different tyres from the others, because our bike has different demands, but I'm not happy with tenth place."

Troy Bayliss, Camel Honda, 11th: “What can I say about this race, it was average considering recent races, and despite giving everything once more I was unable to ride as well as I can. I’m obviously not happy, because there’s not much difference for me between eleventh and twentieth, but there’s not much else I can do apart from continuing to work hard with my head down and bring and end to this situation. I’m happy to be going to Laguna Seca now, a track I really like, and where I hope we can make some much-needed steps forward.”

Ruben Xaus (Fortuna Yamaha Team) 12th: “I made a mistake at the start and I did not feel comfortable for the first few laps, I did not have the right feeling. When Tamada passed me, it took me a while to get back in front of him because I had been struggling for a while. Then I battled with Bayliss, Roberts and Hopkins and improved my rhythm and the bike began to get lighter by the halfway point. I have to learn to improve my rhythm in the first five laps of the race because in the last few races it’s only been on the last few laps that I felt like I could challenge for the top eight. I have to improve a lot in that respect.”

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