|
| News and products for the motorcycle enthusiast and professional |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
SUPERB SEVENTH FOR VERMEULEN IN TURKEY Pole-setter Vermeulen had a fantastic start to the race and led the first lap. As the race wore on and as rear tyre grip played a major outcome in the results, the rookie Australian held sixth place and only a last-minute overtaking manoeuvre from Loris Capirossi prevented Vermeulen from a higher placed finish. Vermeulen and team-mate John Hopkins both had strong starts and Hopkins was comfortably placed in second position for a quarter of the race before tyre adhesion deteriorated so much on his Rizla Suzuki GSV-R that he was forced to enter the pits and change his rear tyre. After re-joining the race Hopkins battled hard to get back on terms with other riders to try and get some valuable points, but the distance was too great and he had to settle for 17th place. Today’s race was held in overcast conditions and was watched by a crowd of 38,123 spectators, who witnessed Marco Melandri win his second successive Turkish Grand Prix. The 2006 MotoGP World Championship is now led by Nicky Hayden. The next round moves to the Far East as Shanghai in China plays host on Sunday 14th May. Chris Vermeulen: “I’m reasonably happy with my result – but as I’ve said before I always want to be higher up! I got a good start today – my best so far in MotoGP. The bike worked very well in the first few laps and I felt quite comfortable, but from about mid-race I struggled a bit with front and rear grip and I started to go backwards a bit. I was still trying to hang on to the front group but it seemed like they had a bit more grip than we did. Loris Capirossi and I had a great duel on the last lap – I think we passed each other about four times, but he had a bit more horsepower than me and just got past at the end. I really enjoyed the race and hopefully we can build on this seventh place from here on in.” John Hopkins: “There’s not much to say really! Basically I’m disappointed, I did everything I could. I got a good start and at the beginning the bike and the Bridgestones were working really well and I was happy following Sete Gibernau. At about lap six or seven the tyre started skidding going into corners and over the next few laps I started losing places - it got to a point where it was getting a bit dangerous. I pulled in and got a new tyre and just went out to try and get in the points. I know that within the bike, the tyres and myself, we are able and ready to run nearer the front and we need to get to a track where everything will come together.” Paul Denning – Team Manager: “Firstly I would like to congratulate Suzuki for responding so positively and quickly to the situations that we suffered in Qatar. The GSV-R has worked well all weekend and today’s hard race showed the potential that we know is there. Bridgestone suffered bad luck today but they will respond – of that there is no question. “Both the guys got off to fantastic starts and John seemed really comfortable and it looked like a very high finish was possible. Unfortunately he was forced to pit and change his tyre, which was devastating – it’s absolutely time that John’s luck changed for the better! “Chris did a tremendous job and his seventh place was the least he deserved. He got off to a great start and was also looking very comfortable early on. But unfortunately he suffered with a lack of grip later on in the race or I’m sure he would have held on to sixth – there’s no question that he got the maximum out of his bike! “Finally I must say a big thanks to the whole Rizla Suzuki crew who worked so hard this weekend throughout difficult conditions and the result today - although not as high as we had hoped after yesterday’s pole – was a huge shot in the arm - I’m sure we can move forward from here.” Grand Prix of Turkey Race Classification: 1. Marco Melandri (Honda) 41’54.065: 2. Casey Stoner (Honda) +0.200: 3. Nicky Hayden (Honda) +5.458 7. CHRIS VERMEULEN (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +16.777 17. JOHN HOPKINS (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +1’38.628: World Championship Classification: 1. Hayden 52: 2.Capirossi 51: 3. Melandri 45: 13. CHRIS VERMEULEN (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) 13: 15. JOHN HOPKINS (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) 7:
|
|
| Biker247.com is an Internet publication brought to you by The 247 Network - Visit our other sites at www.the247network.com. |
| The entire content included in this website, including but not limited to text, design, graphics, interfaces, or code and the selection and arrangements thereof is copyrighted as a collective work under the UK and other copyright laws and is the property of The 247 Network. |