Chasing the pack

"That was an exciting race for me, it makes such a big difference when you see the top group and can race close to them. In the second race I was able to do fast and consistent times and overtake Capirossi and chase the front group. The tyre performance from Bridgestone was very good today in these conditions and I was very comfortable at this pace. Towards the end I had a couple of front end slides so I just made sure I finished. Kawasaki and Bridgestone are back challenging the front group, which is exactly where we should be."

- Shinya on finishing sixth

Source : Kawasaki-Eckl

After the indestructible John Hopkins fell off his bike and came close to becoming tyre fodder for the oncoming bikes, the red flag was waved and the race restarted (Hopkins was spotted smiling and limping away in his pit, so he's a-okay). Shinya was placed ninth on the restart of the 25-lap race, and soon climbed up to his 6th spot. For a large portion of the way, he was a lone ranger, with the leading pack just beyond his grasp and a substantial gap behind him. What's most important is that he was actually within sight of Rossi throughout the race.

Source : a digicam n my shaky hand

Speaking of Rossi, hail to him for matching Mike Hailwood's record of 76 MotoGP race victories. And in line with his flamboyant style, he unabashedly celebrated it.

Source : Yamaha Racing