Capirossi returns to top step in Czech GP

Loris Capirossi took home a fantastic victory in Automotodrom Brno, the scene of the Czech Republic Grand Prix, the twelwth round of the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix (MotoGP).

The reigning world champion, Valentino Rossi, claimed second after a hard fight with rookie Dani Pedrosa, who took third place at the chequered flag.

Capirossi back in the chase for the title

"This has been an unbelievable weekend for me! After Friday morning I wanted to take the plane back to Monaco because the bike wasn't working so well, but after that we did a great job, with strong support from Bridgestone", Capirossi commented.

Capirossi started from second in the grid and quickly jumped to the lead in the start, leaving Rossi behind. From that moment, the 33-year old rider was never in the view of his rivals again until the podium ceremony.

"Yesterday I could see my rhythm on race tyres was really good, a little better than everyone else's, so this morning I told my team that my dream was to make a great start, push hard during the first few laps, make a gap and I saw from my pitboard that my advantage was growing bigger and bigger. I would like to say from my heart thanks to the team and all the sponsors who believe in us", the winner stated.

It was second season victory for Capirossi and Ducati Marlboro Team after the one they took in the opening round in Jerez de la Frontera. It was also the return of the Italian driver and team to the podium after five races with poor results -- and the big accident in Catalunya that complicated the year for Ducati.

Capirossi knows this victory put him back in the chase for the title, but he wants to take it easy yet. "I don't want to talk about the world championship yet. I will just do my best at the last five races and we will see, you never know. We stay here to test tomorrow. First we try some new tyres on the GP6, then in the afternoon maybe we try the new 800. I will be like a kid tonight, too excited to sleep!", the man of the day finished.

An important second place

Rossi couldn't turn his pole position into a victory, but at least he took an important second place to recover from his US GP retirement.

"It was a good race today and I am very happy with the weekend. Obviously starting from pole position you hope that you can win but today Loris had a completely different pace to the rest of us and I couldn't believe the gap he made!", were the sincere words of the seven times World Champion.

'The Doctor' was able to cut today some points the gap in the standings and is ready to keep on the argue to retain the title.

"This weekend my M1 worked well from Friday morning, which is very encouraging after the problems we've had during practice this season. Everyone at Yamaha has worked so hard to come back to this level so I want to thank my team and all the engineers. Now there are five more races and five riders who can still fight for the championship, so I think it's going to be a very exciting end to the season !", Rossi said.

The seventh podium for the rookie-ace

Spaniard rookie-ace Pedrosa took his seventh season podium with the third place and leaves Brno closer in the championship points.

"I think we did a great race and third place is very good for me because I started from ninth on the grid. I made a good start but I think it could have been even better and I could have made up even more places into the first corner. I'm looking forward to the next races". He surely is.

In the top 10

Fourth place belonged to Kenny Roberts, Jr. who was followed by Marco Melandri and Casey Stoner.

Standings leader, Nicky Hayden, dropped down to ninth place in the last part of the competition due to tyre problems on his Repsol Honda RC211V. However, Hayden stil holds the lead in the championship with 201 points, followed by Pedrosa, with 176, and Rossi, who has 163 units.

On September 10th in Sepang circuit of Malaysia will see the next action of the Continental Circus.