MotoGP
Team Gresini rider Toni Elias’ run of wins, which stretched to four before this weekend, came to an end today at the twelfth round of seventeen for the Moto2 class.
The Spaniard crossed the line in fourth place – a result that is below his expectations but nevertheless good for his championship aspirations. Yesterday’s crash affected his grid position and after making a bad start, which saw him relegated back to 16th position on the opening lap, he gave the home fans plenty to cheer about with a rousing charge through the field. Michele Pirro made an impressive debut in the category, picking up points despite the pain caused by a wrist injury.
Toni Elias says: “We’re really happy because even though we finished fourth it feels like a win. Obviously I would have preferred it to be an actual win here at Aragon but we lost a lot of time yesterday because of the crash and there was an incident in the first corner of the race, which I managed to avoid but it dropped me back to 16th. I made up positions with every lap and with two to go I caught up with Talmacsi and Simon but couldn’t pass them. Anyway, as I said, fourth place is important for the championship because we didn’t lose too many points to our rivals. ”
Michele Pirro says: “My wrist is incredibly painful. It wasn’t too bad up to the final laps but then it was unbearable, but I am happy I made it to the end and for me this has been a fantastic experience. I want to thank the team for giving me this opportunity and I’m just sorry I couldn’t do more because of the wrist.”
Fausto Gresini says: “Toni had a great race. Unfortunately his grid position wasn’t the best and he lost positions in turn one but he passed a lot of riders. It would have been difficult to compete with Iannone in the form he was in today but second place was possible. Anyway, fourth place is important for the championship and that is something we have to think about now. We have our objectives to achieve and they are getting closer, which is the main thing. Pirro had a good debut despite his wrist, which prevented him from pushing as much as he otherwise could have.”
“He believed in his ability and he made a great debut at a track he didn’t know. I have to congratulate him and I am happy I was able to offe thois opportunity to a young Italian rider. I hope the experience serves him well in the future.”
