Ducati
Marlboro Team riders Loris Capirossi and Sete Gibernau
played starring roles in today's enthralling MotoGP
Alice Italian
Grand Prix, both riders leading to the delight of the
Italian fans before finally finishing second and fifth.
Capirossi came back brilliantly from a sluggish start to
take the lead on lap 15. From there he fought a
thrilling duel with compatriot Valentino Rossi, ending
the race just 0.575 seconds down to retake the World
Championship lead, though equal on points with
third-place finisher Nicky Hayden. During the early
stages Gibernau was Rossi's biggest threat, the Spaniard
leading on several occasions before the toe-slider on
his right boot got damaged. Gibernau slipped back before
mounting a spirited comeback, rapidly closing on
fourth-place finisher Dani Pedrosa. By the finish he had
worn right through the boot and his little toe was
bleeding.
Both Capirossi
and Gibernau raced with a special livery today to
celebrate three anniversaries: Ducati's 80th birthday,
the 60th anniversary of the company starting motorcycle
production and the 50th anniversary of its first use of
the desmodromic valve system.
LORIS CAPIROSSI, finished
2nd, 1st overall (99 points): "My start was so bad
and I had chosen quite hard tyres so I was a little bit
quiet in the first few laps. When my rhythm came good I
started overtaking guys, though it wasn't easy because
everyone was going so quick today. The battle with Valentino
and Nicky was great, we overtook each other many times but
always in a correct manner, it's always so nice to ride with
Valentino. I enjoy races like that even if I don't win!
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Capirossi and Gibernau raced with special livery to
celebrate three anniversaries: Ducati's 80th
birthday, the 60th anniversary of the company
starting motorcycle production and the 50th
anniversary of its first use of the desmodromic
valve system. |
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Ducati Marlboro Team riders Loris Capirossi and Sete
Gibernau played starring roles in today's
enthralling Italian Grand Prix, both riders leading
to the delight of the Italian fans before finally
finishing second and fifth. |
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"To win here at Mugello is the best, but today I'm happy
with second. Everyone in the team made a really great job
this weekend, so thanks to them all. Bridgestone are coming
better and better, we're at a very high level now and I hope
we can continue improving. Our season started so well and it
continues to go well, now I want more of this," he added.
SETE GIBERNAU, finished 5th,
9th overall (44 points): "We had a few moments out
there but we had good fun and I enjoyed it a lot, it's been
a while since I've been riding to win a race. I led a few
laps, it was nice to be up there again and we fought good,
so it was perfect. The team did a great job and Bridgestone
did a great job too, they gave me a real good bike and
tyres, so all credit to the guys, though the bike was a
little wobbly on the main straight! When I had the problem
with my boot it was difficult to adapt, it took two laps or
so to adjust, then I came back. It was just a pity what
happened with my boot, but that's racing. I'm starting to
enjoy riding again and I'm beginning to really understand
how to get the best out of the Ducati."
FEDERICO MINOLI, Ducati
Motor Holding CEO and President: "That was a great
way to mark the three anniversaries we are celebrating this
year. We had a one-two on the grid and we were in the thick
of the action for the race win. Loris rode like a lion,
making an unbelievable comeback, while Sete showed once
again that he's a great rider, without that boot problem he
would also have fought for the win."
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