For the second consecutive time during this season Alice Team rider, Toni Elias, stepped on the podium thanks to the third position conquered in the San Marino Grand Prix on the Misano circuit. The Catalan rider started well and made it to maintain the fifth position until the fifth lap when he overtook Dani Pedrosa together with Jorge Lorenzo. With Casey Stoner’s fall during the eight lap the third position was secured even if Dani Pedrosa tried to come back at half of the race. But Toni Elias after some difficulties found back the initial race rhythm and concluded the race with more than five seconds from the fourth. Guintoli didn’t make it to go further than the eleventh position after a race rich of complications. Next round of the World Championship will be held on the historic track of Indianapolis in two weeks time.
Fabiano Sterlacchini – Alice Team Technical Director“Everything went well today with Toni. We maintained the race rhythm we expected and we are really satisfied of the work done. Toni has basically been perfect apart some laps where he seemed to have some grip problem but after a little bit he made it to find back the initial rhythm. This way he made it to get some seconds of advantage from Pedrosa in fourth position. This podium is even more important compared to two weeks ago because we are much closer to the fastest riders and it is the confirmation that our group is doing a really good job.”
Toni Elias – Alice Team rider (3rd in the race – 12th in the MotoGP Championship)“After Laguna Seca things have changed radically. I always had much better feeling with the bike and the results prove it. I hope to continue this way for the rest of the season. I would love to fight for the Podium at each Gran Prix. I know it’s not easy but I will try. I had a lot of fun here today even if this circuit, with all these turns, hard breaking and acceleration is really tiring. At one stage I tried to follow Lorenzo but I made some mistakes and I decided to hold on my position and here is when Pedrosa caught me up. Therefore I decided to calm down a bit and I found back the initial race rhythm. I am really happy for this result also for the all Alice Team.”
Sylvain Guintoli – Alice Team rider (11th in the race – 15th in the MotoGP Championship)“Today we had many difficulties. I pushed at the maximum but lap times weren’t going down. The race rhythm compared to yesterday wasn’t as good and we still have to understand why. I would like to conquer a good result this season for the Team and all the sponsors that have worked really hard this year. I will do my best in these last five races.”
