DOUBLE PODIUM AT MONTMELO
20 June 2006 - Aprilia

Jorge Lorenzo of Fortuna Aprilia and Alex De Angelis of Master Aspar Team closed out the Catalunya Gp in 2nd and 3rd place respectively.

With this result, Jorge Lorenzo was able to reel in his second podium of the year and gain twenty points for his bounty that was already fattened by his victory at Mugello, now up to 108 points.

However, the 250 competition was characterized by Roberto Locatelli’s great race atop the RSV 250 LE of Team Toth. He led the group composed of Dovizioso, De Angelis, Lorenzo, and Debon throughout most of the race. Yet as he fought for the victory, contact with De Angelis eliminated him from the podium. Locatelli still gained 13 points thanks to his 4th place and is able to relish in the fact that he completed a great race.

Lorenzo instead had an uphill battle and was able to insert himself into the lead group halfway through the race. Alex Debon (the Aprilia test-rider called up to substitute Hector Barbero, injured during a training session on a mountain bike last Sunday) played an important role in Lorenzo’s comeback. Debon remained in the fight for the podium throughout the first half of the race and made into 4th when the rhythm increased. When he was reached Lorenzo, he let him pass and took care of the riders following the team’s leader.

At that point, Lorenzo began to fight with Dovizioso and De Angelis and was able to leave the rider from San Marino in the dust at the end but not Dovizioso, who crossed under the checkered flag first.

De Angelis didn’t start the race with complete confidence as he had problems with his brakes and set-up during warm-ups. However, Alex immediately inserted himself in the fight for the podium and sought to lead the group for a few laps. While battling Locatelli for the final victory, Alex made contact with his fellow Aprilia-rider and later publicly excused himself at the post-race press conference. With today’s sixteen points, Alex brings himself into 7th place with 71 points.

In 12th place was Andrea Ballerini of Team Campetella. The Tuscan rider used an experimental aluminum swing arm during the race that was developed directly by Campetella Racing. It worked well for him.

After today’s performance, Aprilia remains the leader in the international constructor’s category in the 250 with 151 points.

www.aprilia.com

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