TT Assen: Gresini race report

DIFFICULT WEEKEND FOR TEAM HONDA GRESINI

MELANDRI TAKES TOP TEN FINISH AT ASSEN AS TONI ELIAS HEADS TO SPAIN BY AIR AMBULANCE

After a good qualifying practice in wet conditions, which had allowed Marco Melandri to start the Dutch TT from the second row of the grid, the Gresini Honda was unable to repeat his result in the race as problems that had bothered him all weekend returned in the dry conditions.

Marco made a good start and was in fourth place in the early stages of the race but quickly began to lose positions before ending up tenth. Nevertheless the Team Gresini Honda rider remains sixth in the championship on 87 points, just one behind Chris Vermeulen in fifth.

Toni Elias returned home to Barcelona late this morning on a private jet, escorted by two of Doctor Xavier Mir's medical staff. The Spaniard headed straight to the famed Dexeus Institute to be assessed before continuing with his recovery at home.

MARCO MELANDRI (10th in the race, 6th in the championship on 87 points): "I got a good start but the problems we had in practice on dry conditions returned and I couldn't ride as I wanted. I had so much chattering and it was really hard for me. I gave it my best shot but the end result is disappointing."

FAUSTO GRESINI, Team Manager: "It's been a really difficult weekend for us -- firstly because of the injury to Toni, who I would like to personally wish a speedy recovery. He received good treatment to the injury here in Holland and went back to Spain this morning. It was tough for Marco, who rode really well in the wet but struggled in the dry during practice and warm-up. The result reflects the problems we had throughout practice."

-credit: gresiniracing