MotoGP Brno: Rossi and Yamaha again

Harald Eckl, Kawasaki Team Manager: "This was the result I expected today. We could see from Loris Capirossi's second place the Bridgestone tyres were competitive at Brno. The main thing now is that we are looking forward to the test here tomorrow, when we will have a new engine specification to evaluate. The opening three laps by Alex were brilliant, he took every opportunity to overtake other riders. Unfortunately Shinya's start was not good, and when you lose time it is difficult to make up."

John Hopkins, Suzuki, 13th: “Not satisfied at all. That’s the best way to state it. We’ve been pushing all weekend and unfortunately we are still suffering with a lack of acceleration and we are having to ride it on the edge. I couldn’t get away from the pack I was in and then later on I dropped down to 13th which is where I finished. It’s good to finish a race after what happened during the weekend in Germany, but I’m very disappointed because I like this track a lot. Unfortunately we didn’t get anywhere near where we wanted to be. It means we’ve got to work harder, not just me, but Suzuki and Bridgestone and be strong at Motegi. I think if I can get through turn one there – unlike the last two years - I can have a hell of a race!”

Toni Elias (Fortuna Yamaha Team), 14th: “When you get away well, and when you are winning, that is when you really enjoy a race, not when you are fighting to get in the points. But it seems we are slowly solving the problems we have, although starting from so far down the grid does not leave you with any real options. The most positive thing was the consistent rhythm I found especially when the tyres were going off and I still managed to match the times of some of the quickerriders for example. I had a couple of moments that made the race exciting. I am not happy with the result, but the important thing is to fight and to progress race by race and to try to match the leading riders. The next two days of testing at Brno will hopefully bring us forward to where we should be.”

Alex Hofmann, Kawasaki 15th; "That was my best ever first lap and I was right in amongst all the action and I was even able to stay ahead of Biaggi. Then for a long time I was behind the Suzukis and I really thought I had a chance of beating them and keeping Bayliss behind me. But over the final laps I struggled with rear grip and there was nothing I could do, not even go one tenth faster, when the others attacked, especially on the straights. Perhaps the other riders in the group did not go 100% at the beginning of the race."

Nobuatsu Aoki, Suzuki, 16th: “I had a pretty lonely race. Immediately after the start I had a small problem which made the top-end low. I thought I might have to pull in or whatever but I tried to manage it and then the engine became a little bit better. I really appreciate what my guys have done. They prepared a good chassis setting. I pushed harder from the middle of the race and I could make a closer gap to Kenny and John’s group. I thought I could catch them up but my back tyre was worn so I couldn’t. I was a little bit disappointed but I have enjoyed the weekend very much and will maybe see you all in Valencia at the last race.”

Ruben Xaus (Fortuna Yamaha Team), 18th: “I didn’t come to Brno in the best possible shape and I just wanted to get through this race as quickly as possible. Now I have done so, I will keep on working hard and I hope the Ruben Xaus that everyone knows will now be back soon.”

Sete Gibernau, MoviStar Honda: dnf – fuel starvation: “Another negative day after a weekend in which we have done a great job during qualifying. This morning we had a good rhythm in the warm up with some low 1’58s, a pace I knew would allow me to fight for the win. In the race I wasn’t able to set the same pace and that was the main problem. In the first three laps I first noticed the problem that eventually prevented me from finishing the race, which topped it off. I’m really disappointed because once again I gave it everything I had and it’s a shame to end the race in this way.”