M2: Australian GP: Gresini Racing race report

DIFFICULT WEEKEND FOR TONI ELIAS

Race weekend at Phillip Island was a difficult one for new Moto2 World Champion Toni Elias, who was plagued by gearbox problems with his Moriwaki. The problem was less prominent in the Sunday race, although the team had to turn the bike inside-out to resolve the issue. Thus, the Spaniard had little chance to celebrate his new crown on track. He did, how ever, grit his teeth for a final lap push, taking seventh place from a group of adversaries.

Toni Elias ( 7th) "Despite all the difficulties that I had, I am happy with the race that I had, because I fought hard. The team did an incredible job of giving me a bike with much more feeling than I had yesterday, although we weren't able to solve the mystery gearbox problem that lost me a lot of power. Without the gearing problem I might even have got on the podium. I am happy with how I rode, because even though they passed me on the straight, I battled back to retake the positions. For that reason I go home happy. I hope that the team can sort things out with this problem and get me back in the running for victory at Estoril."

Vladimir Ivanov (29th) "The gearbox problem that Elias had even spread to my bike, and it is a real shame because I was convenced that I could do better. I will wait for Estoril in fifteen days."

Fausto Gresini "It's a pity that the race went like this and I feel bad for Toni. He had an electronic problem with the gearbox all weekend which returned for the race. It had continued all the while, and ironically we were pretty good in any case! We replaced everything on the bike, had the Geo Technology guys look at it but still there was no solution found. It wasn't nice to find ourselves in this situation. Fortunately, Toni showed that he is a great fighter and that he never gives up. He had a great last lap under difficult conditions. Well done Toni!"

-source: gresini racing