Motegi race `a day to forget´ for San Carlo Honda Gresini

A close battle for Shinya Nakano and a `day to forget´ for Alex de Angelis hampered both riders´ attempts for higher positions at Motegi, with the San Carlo Gresini Honda pair coming home eighth and seventeenth, respectively.

Shinya Nakano - Eighth

`I didn´t make the best start but I tried to push straight away to recover ground and I managed to pass some riders on the first lap. Then I made a mistake and lost the rear, which cost me a few positions. I got past Edwards again on the brakes and stayed behind him for the rest of the race. I spent a few laps trying to work out where I could pass him but he was very strong on corner exit and under braking. Towards the end I had Capirossi in front of me so I tried to overtake again but Dovizioso was very close behind and it was a tough situation to judge. In the end I decided it was better to defend than attack and even though eighth place is not what I wanted it is at least an improvement on recent results. Now I feel I have my confidence back and that makes me look forward to the final three races.´

Alex de Angelis - Seventeenth

`It has been a really tough weekend because despite the best efforts of the team we haven´t managed to find a setting that has allowed me to ride comfortably at this track. I want to thank my mechanics because I´ve had three crashes here but they´ve done a great job to fix the bike and I´m disappointed not to get a better result for them. I tried to push hard over the opening laps but I kept running wide and never found my rhythm. It has been a day to forget but we have to stay positive because now we go to Phillip Island, which is one of my favourite tracks, and I want to bounce back. It has been a tough experience here but one we can use in our favour.´