Australian GP: Gresini Racing race report

NAKANO TAKES FANTASTIC FIFTH AT PHILLIP ISLAND

Shinya Nakano produced one of his best performances of the season as he rode to fifth place in the Australian Grand Prix today at Phillip Island. The Team San Carlo Honda Gresini rider spent the whole race embroiled in a four-way battle for a place just outside the podium, eventually coming through to take a top five finish with a daring move on the last lap. Alex De Angelis didn't get the chance to fight for a top finish today, the San Marino rider crashing out on the first lap.

Shinya Nakano (5th): "Despite our problems in practice the race went well today -- I got a good start and managed to improve on my pace from practice so I'm really satisfied. After the warm-up we decided on a medium compound tyre, which proved to be the right choice because the bike felt really balanced and I was able to stick with a fast group of riders from the start. Having chosen a softer compound I obviously didn't want to risk too much in the early stages because I needed to save some rubber for the end and on the final five laps I really pushed hard, taking two riders and crossing the line in fifth. It has been a long time since I enjoyed a race like this so today I'm happy I was able to show our true potential and I'd like to thank the team for that."

Alex De Angelis (DNF): "I'm really disappointed with today because I finally managed to get a good start and I'd made up some positions. After the first couple of corners I was following De Puniet but he made a mistake under braking and I was too close behind him to avoid him. Unfortunately I came out worse and I'm disappointed because today was a good opportunity for us to show our potential. I'm sorry for the whole team because they've all worked so well here, making constant improvements in every session."

Fausto Gresini - Team Manager: "I'm really happy with Shinya's race -- he rode very well and was aggressive in the right way, which allowed him to go with a fast group. The tyre choice was the right one and he was rewarded for that. We needed a race like that because it gives us all the motivation to finish the season strongly. At the same time I'm disappointed for Alex. It's a shame because everything was in place for him to have a good race today."

-credit: gresini racing