Gresini Racing Brno test summary

Elias Back On Track

Following his fantastic podium in the Czech Republic Grand Prix yesterday, Team San Carlo Honda Gresini rider Toni Elias, was back on track at Brno today for a day of testing that was delayed by a couple of hours in the afternoon after a typically heavy summer rainstorm during the lunch break.

Still smiling about his performance yesterday and the wave of congratulations he has received, Elias started out the test in determined fashion from the very beginning, in the quest to gather valuable data that will allow him to continue fighting for top results.

In the morning, when ambient temperatures touched 30o.C with 45o.C on track -- identical conditions to yesterday's race -- he tried a new footrest position that he felt more comfortable with. The limited time available once the track had dried in the afternoon allowed him to partially evaluate a new evolution front fork on his RC212V, which had been brought to Brno by Japanese suspension partner Showa.

Alex De Angelis, still suffering from back pain that started immediately after yesterday's race, reluctantly withdrew from the test.

Toni Elias (39 giri 1' 57" 841): "The show affection I was given by so many people after the race last night was really nice and I appreciated it a lot. It is a result that gives me a lot of pleasure although at the same time it kind of makes me angry because even though I am scoring top results year after year I still don't have a solution for next season. Anyway, I want to stay optimistic and I will be giving my absolute best until the end of the season and show everybody my true worth over these last six races. This morning we tried a new footrest position, which I liked, but then the rain came and set back our plans. Once it dried out again we were able to get back out and try a new modified fork that Showa brought here. Unfortunately we didn't do enough laps with it to make a proper evaluation and we might need to do some more tests during free practice at Indianapolis."

-credit: gresini