UNIBAT riders had a global good performance yesterday during the last MotoGP of Germany, in Sachsenring. For sure they could do it better, but the racetrack was hard, so we can not complain and we can already focus on the next race of Indianapolis.

OUR RIDERS:

Andrea Dovizioso - position

Andrea Iannone 5th position

Cal Crutchlow 7th position

Jack Miller 15th position

DUCATI TEAM

Andrea Iannone finished Sunday’s German Grand Prix, round 9 of the MotoGP World Championship held at the Sachsenring circuit, in fifth place. Starting from row 2 in fourth place, the 25-year-old Italian from Vasto crossed the line on the opening lap in fifth, a position he held onto until the chequered flag. Iannone was able to hold off a late recovery by Smith to finish 2.5 seconds ahead of the British rider.

Teammate Andrea Dovizioso had a tougher race after starting from row 4 with the eleventh quickest time in qualifying. The 29-year-old Italian from Romagna worked his way up to eighth place by lap 10 and kept that position until lap 14, right behind Crutchlow. Unfortunately a crash on the next lap put an end to the Ducati Team rider’s race.

In the overall standings Iannone maintains his third place with 118 points, while Dovizioso has now been joined in fifth on 87 points by Smith.

Ducati are still third in the Constructors’ standings, while the Ducati Team is in second place in the special Teams’ ranking.

Andrea Iannone (Ducati Team #29) – 5th
“For sure today the situation was difficult to manage: we were once again capable of finishing in the top 5 and, as I have been saying since the start of the championship, this is one of our aims this season. Obviously it gives you more satisfaction to fight with the top riders but at this moment it was difficult to do anything more. At the start I tried to stay close to the leaders, taking some risks, but then I realized that in sectors T2 and T3 I was losing a lot and so I tried to impose my own pace and in the end it didn’t go badly. I want to thank all the guys in the team and all of Ducati for the faith that they are putting in me.”

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team #04) – DNF
“I am very disappointed about the crash: I really didn’t need that. Starting from row 4 I wanted to make up some places, even though on this track it’s anything but easy. I was pushing hard and lapping quite quickly, but as I was always on the limit I couldn’t be smooth and so I made a mistake. I’m disappointed for the team and it’s a real pity for the championship, but apart from this it also confirms that at the moment we don’t have the same speed as we had at the start of the season. We knew it was going to be tough on this track, so now I’m looking forward confidently to Indianapolis, which might give us some more indications about our current level as it is a track that is a bit more suitable for the GP15.”

Luigi Dall’Igna (Ducati Corse General Manager)
“We can certainly not be happy about today’s results. We knew that it would be difficult for us at the Sachsenring and unfortunately it was. In any case Iannone demonstrated once again how much he’s matured as a rider, he did a steady race and remains third in the championship. Dovizioso was unlucky but I am sure that in the next few races he will once again be able to demonstrate his true worth.”

LCR TEAM

Cal Crutchlow put in a solid display at the German Grand Prix on Sunday with the Briton coming home in seventh place in the MotoGP category at the Sachsenring.

The CWM LCR rider endured a heavy fall as he qualified in tenth on Saturday, but he defied pain sustained in that crash to improve in Sunday’s race. Crutchlow made up ground on the riders ahead of him before eventually ending in seventh spot, behind fellow Briton Bradley Smith.

Crutchlow acknowledged afterwards that a different selection of front tyre could have seen him finish even higher, but was satisfied with his result after a difficult weekend in Germany.

Cal Crutchlow #35 (7th – 41’30.968)
“Today’s race result is not the best, but I am happy to finish and get some points before the summer break. We had some problems in the race, I choose the wrong front tyre as we should have gone with the same one as Danny (Pedrosa) and Marc (Marquez). I think it would have gained us quite a few seconds over the race in certain places .

“I also had problems with the rear tyre which gave off vibrations throughout the race so obviously to finish was not a bad job, especially as I still has some pain in my elbow and arm from yesterday’s crash 

“We need to go into the summer break and improve for Indianapolis and from then on. I think the first half of the season has been only average and I believe we can do much better.”

Jack Miller finished in the points at the German Grand Prix on Sunday as he came home 15th in the MotoGP class after a fine ride at the Sachsenring.

After qualifying in 18th, the CWM LCR rookie made an excellent start and looked well set for a solid points finish as he lapped in 13th. However, he endured some issues with his bike towards the end of the race which meant he had to ease up to ensure he saw the chequered flag.

The Australian still emerged as the top open Honda rider, though, finishing nearly five seconds ahead of former world champion Nicky Hayden and admitted afterwards he was pretty satisfied with his weekend’s work. 

Jack Miller #43 (15th – 41’54.856)
“It was a really good start to the race for about the first 20 laps, but then I started to have problems with spin, especially down the hill, and I had a really big moment when the bike went sideways. That allowed Hector (Barbera) and Alvaro (Bautista) back through and it was hard to sit behind them as I was quicker than them through the corners, but they were able to get on the gas on the straights and make a big break. 

“I really pushed hard behind them, but then I had a couple of moments and just thought I should take no risks and accept the one point we had. Nicky (Hayden) was about six seconds behind me so we could relax and take the last three laps a little bit easier.

“It’s not quite ideal, but it’s an improvement from last week and we are definitely improving each week. We’ve had some good results and some bad results, today could have been a really good result but it wasn’t to be. Anyway, I’m quite happy with my first half-season in MotoGP, it’s been difficult but it’s also been a lot of fun.”