Portuguese GP: Gresini Racing race report

"SUPER SIC" POINTS TO THE FUTURE WITH PODIUM CHALLENGE

Team San Carlo Honda Gresini Marco Simoncelli produced a fantastic ride to fourth place at Estoril today, missing out on the podium by just 0.059 seconds. His performance was the latest example of the recent progress he has shown in the latter stages of his rookie MotoGP season and confirms his potential as a future star of the premier class. Today he rode consistently from start to finish, battling throughout with Andrea Dovizioso and Nicky Hayden. Even though he missed out on the podium hopes are now high for Valencia and for the future of the former 250cc World Champion. It was another race to forget for Marco Melandri, who started as the highest Honda on the grid but had no feeling for his bike in dry conditions today.

Marco Simoncelli (4th) "I am really pleased with my race today. We did everything right and I was able to maintain a good rhythm from the start to the end. Dovizioso was a little bit faster than me on the straights but I still thought I could beat him. Unfortunately I made a tiny mistake in the final turn and lost a little bit of speed onto the straight, which gave him the advantage over the line. It was a shame but I am still delighted because this feels almost as good as a podium to us. Over the last four or five races I have been consistently on the pace from Friday practice and we did it again here at Estoril. Obviously we still have to work to improve the bike, especially the electronics, if we want to be on the podium but maybe we can do that at Valencia. "

Marco Melandri (9th) "I am disappointed and upset because nothing has gone our way since the start of the season. I don't know what else to say and I don't want to start talking about why this is happening to us. All I can say is that I am very disappointed."

Fausto Gresini "I am really satisfied today with the progress shown by Simoncelli. He had a wonderful race and showed that he is reaching the top level of MotoGP. I think fourth place is an excellent result for a rookie -- it is just a shame he didn't make it onto the podium because he was there right up until the exit from the final corner. Anyway, it's still a good result. Now we need to think about what we have to do next to help him continue with the progress that led to this result. Congratulations to "Sic" - I am happy and proud to be working with him."

-source: gresini racing