The French Grand Prix saw Valentino Rossi score his first podium finish aboard a Ducati, following a race that was noticeable by excitement and surprises. Nicky Hayden started from the fourth row, but higher to seventh place by the finish.
The Italian renowned his third-place finish after a weekend of hard work and constant improvement, during which he and his crew increasingly improved the bike’s setup until finding a good compromise for the race. Sixth at the end of the first lap, Rossi stayed just a few tenths from Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso, who fought over fourth place until an event between Pedrosa and Simoncelli with ten laps remaining. At that point, the trio began battling over second place, and in the end, Valentino finished third, behind Dovizioso and winner Casey Stoner.
Nicky Hayden fought over sixth place with Ben Spies, and although he had to grant the position to his compatriot in the end, he was pleased with the development made over the course of the weekend.
In two days, on May 17, Valentino Rossi will be in action at Silverstone Circuit aboard a Ducati 1198, as the English track inaugurates a new paddock wing.
Valentino Rossi (Ducati Marlboro Team) 3rd
“We’re very satisfied with this podium because we’re on the right path, and especially because I had fun today. I rode the Desmosedici well, I was fast in the technical parts of the track, I felt good from start to finish and I had good lap times. This morning we made a last change to the surroundings together with Jeremy and the guys from Ducati, and it helped cut another couple of tenths. I knew I could beat Lorenzo, so that was my goal. I also passed Dovi at one point, but I got a little puzzled and made a move on the penultimate lap instead of the last one. I lost my concentration momentarily, but in short, he got me again. Anyway, it’s fine like this; I’m happy for myself, for my team, for Filippo (Preziosi), and for all the boys at Ducati. This result boosts our morale. We still have to keep working and civilizing though, because there’s more to be done. I also have to get better and keep adapting my style to the Ducati, because I’m still not riding it as I should, but in the meanwhile, we’ll enjoy today’s nice race and podium.”
Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro Team) 7th
“We didn’t do ourselves any favors by starting 10th, but actually, we made a little step forward with the bike today. I got a polite start but was just really tight and lost some time. As the race got going, I was able to move up a bit and slowly bring back Spies and Colin. Colin edwards crashed, but once I got in front of Ben, I wasn’t really able to get down in the 34s and get away like I needed to. Seventh isn’t a great result for us, but I would say that overall, it’s almost certainly been our best weekend yet. When the track was cold, I was able to go quite fast—always in the top five in those conditions. I hoped for better in the race, but I’m looking onward to the next stretch; we’re about to really get into the season.”
Vittoriano Guareschi (Team Manager)
“We’re pleased with this weekend because we’ve already benefited from the first changes that we’ve made according to Vale’s requests. We had a nice race, maintained a good pace and took part in a nice battle. The team worked very well on the setup, which we changed every sitting and took a step forward each time—including one in the morning warm-up. We still have work to do, because this is only the start; there’s still a gap to make up, but anyway, we’re going in a promising direction. Nicky also confirmed that his feeling with the motorcycle has enhanced, and he made good progress on the bike over the course of the weekend.”
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