DUCATI TEAM

Andrea Dovizioso took the chequered flag in sixth place today at the end of the British Grand Prix, round 12 of the MotoGP World Championship which was held at Silverstone. The Italian, who started from row 4, made a great charge through the field to catch the leading group, but had to settle for sixth place due to increasing stiffness in his right forearm, which prevented him from pushing hard in the final stages of the race.

A crash on the other hand brought an end to Andrea Iannone’s race, after the Italian, who had started from row 3, moved into second place after getting the better of Pedrosa, Marquez, Crutchlow and Rossi. Unfortunately the Ducati Team rider also suffered a similar physical problem to his team-mate and a crash on lap 14 put an end to his superb run.

The British GP was held in cloudy weather conditions but on a dry surface, with air and track temperatures of 18°. The race was halted on the opening lap because of a crash involving Loris Baz and Pol Espargarò and it was then restarted and run over 19 laps.

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team #04) – 6th
“After powering away well at the first start, I wasn’t able to repeat it the second time around and was left a little bit behind, so I lost touch with the leading group. I had to push hard to try and close the gap, but I wasn’t able to ride well: half-way through I began to have a problem with my right forearm and from that moment onwards my race turned into an ordeal. I feel bad for the team, today we could surely have got a better result, but I was just unable to push hard enough. I almost crashed a number of times just trying to stay in sixth place, because I was struggling to keep the bike under control. It was a pity, because judging by the pace of the guys in front of me, we could have had a chance of fighting for second place.”

Andrea Iannone (Ducati Team #29) – DNF
“I’m very disappointed because I was having a great race and we surely had a chance to finish on the podium. Unfortunately just before the mid-point of the race, I began to have fatigue in my right forearm and I was no longer able to control the bike perfectly, which caused me a lot of problems. I really had to struggle a lot, but I didn’t want to stop because for me this situation was difficult to accept. When I arrived at turn 17 on the fourteenth lap, I was late in changing direction, hit a bump and crashed because I just didn’t have the strength to control the bike. It’s a real shame, because today we could have scored a very good result.”

LCR TEAM

Just two weeks after having sealed a first grand prix victory, Cal Crutchlow gave the LCR Honda Team and the whole of Britain more cause to celebrate as he claimed a third podium finish of the season with second place in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Starting his home race from pole position, Crutchlow didn’t get the best of starts as the event began under leaden skies. However, it wasn’t the weather but a crash which brought out the red flag on the opening lap. Both riders involved were declared OK, and when the race was quickly restarted Cal took his second chance admirably, leading into turn one.

While eventual race winner Maverick Viñales got through and escaped at the front, Crutchlow was involved in an epic battle with Valentino Rossi and Honda colleague Marc Marquez, with positions swapping on every lap. Andrea Iannone also joined in on the fun, but after fighting to get past the Brit, the Italian soon crashed out.

Lying second Crutchlow had to rebuff more attacks from the former MotoGP World Champions, with Marquez at one point clipping the LCR Honda man at around 200mph, but it forced the Spaniard wide, and out of the shout for the podium.

Crutchlow eventually held on despite a late salvo from Rossi, to take a glorious second place in front of his adoring fans, and move him up to eighth place in the 2016 championship.

#35 Cal Crutchlow – 2nd
“It was great to be a part of that battle today and really entertain the British crowd. I want to thank the LCR team and Honda for all the hard work they have put in in these recent weeks. We started the year with a few crashes, and problems with the bike, but it shows that all the hard work has paid off.”
“In the race I felt I gave as good as I got, it was a good battle with Marc and Valentino and I also want to say congratulations to Maverick because he controlled the race and did a superb job. Four new winners in the last four MotoGP races is something unique.”
“To stand on the podium in front of my home fans is pretty special and I’m really proud to do so. I feel in great shape at the moment and in good form and I hope that Misano can be another good race, although we know it will be difficult as it hasn’t been the best place for me or Honda in recent years. It won’t stop me trying and I will do so again next week.”