MotoGP
Italian GP Shell Advance Honda race notes
Shell Advance Honda rider, Chris Walker, fell victim to appalling conditions and crashed out of the Italian Grand Prix while poised for a top ten finish. Walker was just one of a number of star riders who succumbed to a water-logged Mugello track ...
Edited: Apr 15, 2002, 11:45 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Shell Advance Honda rider, Chris Walker, fell victim to appalling conditions and crashed out of the Italian Grand Prix while poised for a top ten finish.
Walker was just one of a number of star riders who succumbed to a water-logged Mugello track with the race run in two parts after a stoppage when a rain storm hit the circuit after seven of 23 laps.
Shortly after the restart the rainstorm worsened with blinding spray and water puddles creating havoc for riders. Walker completed 11 laps and apart from a bruised right ankle was unhurt as a result of his crash. Walker had started 15th but was running strongly in 11th when the drenching rain ended his race.
After a post-qualifying discussion on Saturday with five time world champion Mick Doohan Walker believes he has made a step forward with his approach to factory 500cc racing and is looking forward to round six in Barcelona on June 17.
At the Catalunya GP Walker is expected to be joined by teenage teammate Leon Haslam who missed today's race because of a broken wrist.
The 23-lap race was won by Brazilian rider Alex Barros (Honda) who led home teammate Loris Capirossi with Max Biaggi (third). World championship leader Valentino Rossi (Honda) and defending titleholder Kenny Roberts both crashed out of the race.
CHRIS WALKER
Crash/DNF
Championship: 17th/ 5 points
"There was water everywhere and I just hit the white line on the kerb with the front tyre on the righthander in the final chicane, the same corner where Rossi crashed. Before I knew it I was upside down, the conditions were pretty horrible. I had not done any wet practice on the Honda 500 before this so it was really a case of being thrown in at the deep end, and it actually was like a swimming pool out there."
"I'm obviously disappointed because despite all this I was feeling good on the bike, my lap times were competitive and I was up to 11th place and in with a chance of the top ten the way the race unfolded."
-SAH
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Italian GP MYT race report
Next article Catalan GP MYT GP preview
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Valentino Rossi
The closest finish in MotoGP history: Toni Elias over Valentino Rossi 20 years ago
MotoGP
MotoGP
Portuguese GP
The closest finish in MotoGP history: Toni Elias over Valentino Rossi 20 years ago
Marc Marquez to read Valentino Rossi’s new book “when I retire” from MotoGP
MotoGP
MotoGP
San Marino GP
Marc Marquez to read Valentino Rossi’s new book “when I retire” from MotoGP
Valentino Rossi abandons Nordschleife Permit plans for 2026
Endurance
Endurance
NLS8
Valentino Rossi abandons Nordschleife Permit plans for 2026
Latest news
WEC drivers question lack of full-course yellow after heavy Monza crash
WEC
WEC WEC
Monza
1 h
WEC drivers question lack of full-course yellow after heavy Monza crash
Kyle Larson, Cliff Daniels and the Hendrick 5 are who we say they are
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
3 h
Kyle Larson, Cliff Daniels and the Hendrick 5 are who we say they are
Final NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Homestead finale
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
7 h
Final NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Homestead finale
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe