First LCR podium a dream for De Puniet

An unlikely third place for Randy de Puniet saw the Frenchman bringing LCR Honda their second MotoGP podium at the British Grand Prix. De Puniet has always been a risk-taking rider –a strategy that has sometimes ended in more DNFs than top results- but on Sunday his more conservative tactics at the end of the race saw him reap the rewards of a good start.

“It’s like a dream for me and the team! It was a very stressful race and I was very nervous on the grid as the conditions were pretty bad. I took a good start on slick tyres and was very aggressive in the first laps,” he explained.

“I got sixth place, but the gap to the front riders was too wide and I thought it best to keep my pace without taking any risks. (Toni) Elías crashed in front of me and (Dani) Pedrosa did not seem very confident on his machine. When he started to lose time I took my chance to pass him and we battled for several laps. I could overtake him as my machine was a bit faster and suddenly realized that I was holding the third position.”

Falls for the frontrunners left De Puniet in an even better position, but he had a highly motivated Colin Edwards to contend with on the final laps. In the end he lost out on second to the American, but was nonetheless overjoyed with a first rostrum since the 2007 Japanese Grand Prix.

“After (Valentino) Rossi’s crash I took second, remaining focused as the surface was very slippery. Then Edwards came up quickly giving me the chance to reduce the gap on (Andrea) Dovizioso, but it was too late and too dangerous so I kept my position and we battled for second place until the last corner. I am so happy for this result and want to thank everybody, especially Lucio (Cecchinello, LCR Team Manager). We are sharing an amazing moment together!”