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GP of Jerez: Alvaro Bautista finishes runner-up in Spain

In MotoGP

06 maggio 2009

GP of Jerez: Alvaro Bautista finishes runner-up in Spain

After a thrilling 125cc race, it was the turn of the 250cc riders to put on a show in Spain. The packed grandstands saw an exciting four way battle between Álvaro Bautista, Hiroshi Aoyama, Héctor Barberá and Marco Simoncelli for the win, with Álex Debon having started from pole position. In the end it was Aoyama who took the victory, thanks to a last-lap overtaking move on home rider Bautista.

From fourth on the grid, Álvaro Bautista pushed his Harvest for the Mapfre Aspar team and the home fans. The Spaniard had a breathtaking duel with Aoyama in the final stages het he race, clocking a new circuit record of 1'43.338 on lap fifteen. He was outbraked by Aoyama for the win, but took a creditable runner-up spot and his second consecutive podium.

Teammate Mike Di Meglio lost places on the opening lap after a bad start, but his biggest problem was a forearm pain that made it hard for him to even finish the race. The Frenchman looks to improbé upon the performance at the upcoming French GP at Le Mans, his home race.

2nd Álvaro Bautista: "This second place tasted like victory for me. Obviously I know that first is always better, but we were really battling out there at 100%. Before the race I wasn't sure of what my race pace would be like, not knowing if I could keep up, as during the practice sessions I couldn't find the right pace. In the warmup we worked on the setting and found a new configuration that I really liked, and when I saw the crowd I knew that I had to leave any excuses behind me and go for a good result. Jorge told me to remember 2007 just before I went out, and the motivation worked. At the end of the race I tried to take the victory, but it was a pity that Hiroshi is so fantastic on the brakes. I tried to do it later but it wasn't possible, he was at the limit. We finished second but it is almost a victory, and I learnt that we will never back down."

11th Mike Di Meglio: "I didn't have a good start, but quickly I was able to come back. I felt comfortable riding, but I began to notice a sharp pain in my right forearm. Lap after lap it hurt more and more, and I couldn't brake hard nor accelerate hard. On the corners I was suffereing, andi t was difficult to grit out the race. It was a pity, because the bike was working perfectly and I think that I could have had a great race. It might be a suit problem, but next time out at Le Mans I want to be the best that I can be for my home race."