The Dunlop Yamaha Tech 3 Team finished 2007 at the Valencia Grand Prix with its most impressive performance of the year. Both riders secured Dunlop's best qualifying result in the premier class since 2002 as Sylvain Guintoli and Makoto Tamada started from the second row of the grid in fifth and six positions, respectively. In the race, Sylvain created another personal best being the first Yamaha across the finish line with both riders scoring championship points as victory went to local hero Dani Pedrosa with Sylvain claiming the "Rookie of the Year" award.
Guintoli, after being as high as eighth place during the 30-lap race had to settle for 11th place after a race long duel with the factory bikes of Carlos Checa, Tony Elias and Randy De Puniet while Makoto, who celebrated his 31st birthday on the day, was also embroiled in the same battle and finished 15th.
Sylvain Guintoli - Position: 11thTime: +38.763The start of the race wasn't that great but then I got into a good rhythm to have a good battle with Randy and Barros and Elias. It was good fun race and considering my start I am happy to finish where I did and to be the first Yamaha homes as a great bonus. It is pretty emotional for me at the moment. We had such a great season. It was the best season ever for me and I feel a bit sad. I think the team all agree that we did better than we expected. The aim at the start was to progress, learn the category and a MotoGP bike and try to beat my teammate whenever possible. From the start I think we showed that we had the pace and the motivation whilst Dunlop put in an enormous amount of hard work and were equally motivated. The season was definitely very positive for the entire team and I wish them all the best for next year.
Makoto Tamada - Position: 15th Time: +56.879During the race I had a very good pace but after about half way the performance of the tyre dropped down a little bit and I also felt some vibration from the rear so I lost a bit of confidence in pushing hard and lost contact with the riders I was fighting with. I'm not too happy with the race but I would like to thank the team and Dunlop for the opportunity to race in this team. I didn't get the results that I was really looking for but the team and the guys from Dunlop never stopped working to try and improve things. They couldn't have done anything more to help me this year and I wish everyone much success in the future.
Herve Poncharal - Dunlop Yamaha Tech 3 Team Manager Definitely a very good weekend for us. Our best qualifying result by far with our two riders on the second row and I was very proud to end up our relationship with Dunlop on a high note in qualifying and a solid result in the race. The race was tough but we managed to keep a good rhythm although the start was not excellent as usual, unfortunately. Sylvain pushed hard through the entire race and there is nothing to be ashamed of. The tyres were consistent all race long, we were the first Yamaha across the line something so that is something I'm really proud of and both riders were in the points again but this is the end of the adventure of Yamaha Tech 3 and Dunlop.
I would like to thank all the Dunlop technicians, fitters and engineers that have been involved in the project because they have been behind us 100%, always motivated and always working very hard. I would also like to thank both my riders as we have had a really incredible ambience in the garage all year. There was never any problem between the riders and team and certainly for me on the human side 2007 is the best year I have ever had with two riders. I'm sad to see them leave but happy to see Sylvain go to a good team and I wish all the best to Makoto in his endeavours for next year. I also wish all the best for Dunlop and hope they can return to MotoGP as soon as possible. Meanwhile I'd like to congratulate Dunlop on their 15th consecutive 250cc and 10th consecutive 125cc World Championships.
Circuit Length: 4005
Temp: 19
Weather: Sunny
Race 1 - 30 Laps - MotoGP Valencia:
1. Daniel Pedrosa - Honda - ESP 46'43.533
2. Casey Stoner - Ducati - AUS 0'5.447
3. John Hopkins - Suzuki - USA 0'20.404
4. Marco Melandri - Honda - ITA 0'24.827
5. Loris Capirossi - Ducati - ITA 0'25.804
6. Chris Vermeulen - Suzuki - AUS 0'25.804
7. Alex Barros - Ducati - BRA 0'29.470
8. Nicky Hayden - Honda - USA 0'30.333
9. Randy De Puniet - Kawasaki - FRA 0'30.895
10. Toni Elias - Honda - ESP 0'31.030
11. Sylvain Guintoli - Yamaha - FRA 0'38.763
12. Carlos Checa - Honda - ESP 0'42.506
13. Colin Edwards - Yamaha - USA 0'46.572
14. Shinya Nakano - Honda - JPN 0'50.220
15. Makoto Tamada - Yamaha - JPN 0'56.879
Best Lap: Dani Pedrosa - Honda - ESP 1'32.748
Rider Standings:1. Casey Stoner - Ducati - AUS 367
2. Daniel Pedrosa - Honda - ESP 242
3. Valentino Rossi - Yamaha - ITA 241
4. John Hopkins - Suzuki - USA 189
5. Marco Melandri - Honda - ITA 187
6. Chris Vermeulen - Suzuki - AUS 179
7. Loris Capirossi - Ducati - ITA 166
8. Nicky Hayden - Honda - USA 127
9. Colin Edwards - Yamaha - USA 124
10. Alex Barros - Ducati - BRA 115
11. Randy De Puniet - Kawasaki - FRA 108
12. Toni Elias - Honda - ESP 104
13. Alex Hofmann - Ducati - GER 65
14. Carlos Checa - Honda - ESP 65
15. Anthony West - Kawasaki - AUS 59
16. Sylvain Guintoli - Yamaha - FRA 50
18. Makoto Tamada - Yamaha - JPN 38
Team Standings:1. Ducati Marlboro Team 533
2. Rizla Suzuki 371
3. Repsol Honda Team 369
4. FIAT Yamaha Team 365
5. Honda Gresini 297
6. Pramac D'Antin 181
7. Kawasaki Racing Team 176
8. Tech3 Yamaha 88
9. Honda LCR 65
10. Konica Minolta Honda 47
11. Team Roberts 14
Manufacturer Standings:1. Ducati 394
2. Honda 313
3. Yamaha 283
4. Suzuki 241
5. Kawasaki 144
6. KR212V 14
