APRILIA ON BRINK OF CONSTRUCTOR WORLD TITLE
17 October 2005 - Aprilia

ITALIAN Roberto Locatelli steered Aprilia closer to the all-important 2004 constructor world championship with a battling fourth place in today’s Australian GP at Phillip Island.

The pole-setter was at the back of a four-rider group that made an early break from the pursuing pack, Locatelli content to sit and watch Andrea Dovizioso, Jorge Lorenzo and Casey Stoner fight it out for the lead in the early stages.

Locatelli then decided to up his pace and on lap six set his best lap of the race, but the trio in front were pushing equally as hard, and the 30-year-old was struggling to make any impression to bring him seriously into contention for a podium spot.

With the lead swapping places numerous times, Locatelli found himself right in the heart of the battle at the front, and going into the first corner for the start of lap 21 he was holding third place. He eventually had to settle for fourth, a result which means Aprilia needs to score only two-points at the season’s final race in Valencia later this month to claim the constructor title.

Locatelli said: “Unfortunately I couldn’t go any faster. I could recover some ground but only when the others slowed their pace. I was losing too much on the exit of the corners. I’m not sure why but I have to be satisfied with fourth.”

German Steve Jenkner finished in fifth place as he too was locked in a thrilling battle throughout the 23-lap encounter, run in bright and sunny conditions at the 4.44km coastal circuit. He just managed to fight off Hector Barbera and Gino Borsoi who ended up sixth and seventh places respectively. Aprilia claimed seven of the top ten positions in today’s penultimate round of the series.

www.aprilia.com

More News
  For October 2005
  From Aprilia
  For 125
  Biker247.com Home Page