Melandri battled shoulder to place eighth

Marco Melandri had more than just some determined fellow riders to contend with at Laguna Seca as the Italian fought continuing pain in his left shoulder as well. The San Carlo Honda Gresini rider is still experiencing some discomfort following his dislocation at Assen in Round 6, but regardless of that pushed hard as he finished eighth in the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix.

“It’s been a very tough race because I didn’t get a good start, but I tried to catch the guys in front of me. I lost the front a few times so I just worked hard to keep my rhythm. Colin (Edwards) was a bit faster than me and I tried to follow him, but after 15 laps I had no power in my left shoulder, so it was very hard for me,” said the Italian.

“The bike was moving when I was braking and I didn’t have enough power to turn, so it was tough. This race for me was like a training race, and now we have two weeks to train some more and be strong for Brno.”

Melandri had a close combat with team-mate Marco Simoncelli before the rookie crashed out two-thirds of the way through the race. Melandri added: “Many times we have been fighting together, and I am sorry for him that he crashed. He is coming along very well.”

Looking ahead to Brno in three weeks Melandri views the summer break as the perfect opportunity for his shoulder to recover further, and is also pleased to be going to a track he believes will aid his physical condition.

“I think it can be better for me, and this will be a very important two weeks off. Also we go back to a clockwise track which for me will be so much better because the left shoulder is giving me a lot of problems,” he concluded.