Simoncelli comes close to best finish yet at Montmeló

The rookie of the San Carlo Honda Gresini team was running in sixth position at Catalunya when a crash ended his race.

Marco Simoncelli came tantalisingly close to his highest MotoGP finish to date in his debut premier class season at the Gran Premi Aperol de Catalunya on Sunday, but a crash ended his race when he was running in sixth place with his eye on pushing even further.

The Italian had risen from his starting position of eighth and his race was going according to plan, but he lost the front end of his satellite RC212V on lap 14 to bring his participation to a frustratingly early end.

“I was on course for the result we had hoped for and thought we were capable of. I knew if I could be consistent I could be up near the front and in fact I was setting low 1’44s. I was catching De Puniet but then I let off the brakes a little too early as I entered the corner and the front folded. It’s a real shame,” said Simoncelli.

“We were capable of finishing fourth and that would have given us a massive boost. We have made progress but it would be nice to just have that extra injection of morale. Now we are even surer that we have taken big steps forward over the past three races but mistakes can happen. It is my first race crash but we didn’t want it!”

Simoncelli will now aim to recover ground in the next round at Sachsenring, a circuit he enjoyed wins at in his final two seasons in the former 250cc class before his move up to MotoGP this season.

Source: http://www.motogp.com/