Spanish GP: Gresini Racing race report

Tough Day For Nakano, De Angelis

San Carlo Honda Gresini riders Shinya Nakano and Alex De Angelis ended up 9th and 14th respectively on Sunday, as the Spanish Grand Prix concluded at the Jerez de la Frontera Circuit. After a good start Alex lost several positions and ended up in a battle lower down the order, fighting with Melandri and West before coming home 14th. Shinya was matching the times of the second group of riders in the race who were chasing 5th place and was involved in duels with Australian pair Stoner and Vermeulen, before he crossed the line 9th.

Alex de Angelis (14th): "I am not happy about today's performance. Unfortunately, on the first lap, even though my start was good I got caught up with a group of riders and lost some places which I couldn't make up. I was trying to make a comeback but kept losing places on the straight. I also felt that the traction control was taking away from my pace and that cost me in the end. It's the same as in Qatar really and I hope to put things right starting from tomorrow with Bridgestone's help. They are going to give us some new material that we have not tested before."

Shinya Nakano (9th): "I made a good start and made up a few places. I was behind the fastest group and I was able to follow them for a while but at around the halfway mark a couple of riders caught me and I lost some ground. At the end I had a fight with Vermeulen and two laps from the end I got past him and was going for the group ahead of me again. Throughout the weekend I've been able to constantly lower my times thanks to the work of the team and this leaves me quite optomistic for the next race. Thanks to all my mechanics for their work."

Fausto Gresini -- Team Manager: "We are not that happy with the result but at least both riders finished the race. Shinya won his battle with Vermeulen, to get ninth place, which was good. Obviously we expect more of ourselves and we will work hard to achieve better results in the future: results that reflect our potential. We don't want to stop where we are and therefore hard work awaits us, but that is the job of the team and of the riders."

-credit: gresiniracing.com