MOTOGP ROUND 6, SILVERSTONE, SUNDAY JUNE 12

Bleak weather but some high points for Arai riders at the British GP

DANI PEDROSA, REPSOL HONDA

Race Position: DNS                         Championship Position: 5^th

Dani Pedrosa chose to sit out the British MotoGP round at Silverstone to aid the repair of his right collarbone, which was fractured during the race at Le Mans. He had an operation on the 18^th of May, but the bone has been healing slowly and his return to the MotoGP grid will be dictated purely by the speed of his recovery.

CAL CRUTCHLOW, MONSTER YAMAHA TECH 3

Race Position: DNS                         Championship Position:  13^th

It was confirmed on Saturday afternoon that Cal Crutchlow would miss his all-important home MotoGP round at Silverstone with a broken left collarbone. The home crowd favourite was just starting the third lap of qualifying when he lost control of his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team YZR-M1 machine on the entry to the second corner. He landed heavily on his left shoulder and was immediately assessed by trackside medical staff before being transferred to the Silverstone Medical Centre where he was diagnosed with a broken left collarbone. He is also being assessed for a neck injury and further information on his condition and recovery will be made available at the earliest opportunity.

COLIN EDWARDS, MONSTER YAMAHA TECH 3

Race Position: 3^rd               Championship Position: 8^th

“THAT WAS AN UNBELIEVABLE RACE!”

Colin Edwards produced what can only be called a heroic performance at the rain-lashed Silverstone circuit, the experienced American mastering atrocious conditions during the British Grand Prix to finish in a deserved third position. Just nine days after breaking his right collarbone in seven places at the Catalunya round, Edwards showed outstanding skill and bravery to claim his first MotoGP rostrum since he was second in the 2009 British Grand Prix at Donington Park. With large patches of standing water littering the circuit and heavy rain falling throughout, Edwards quickly got to grips with the treacherous conditions and needed only five laps to pass compatriot Ben Spies to move into fifth. Edwards maintained a fast and consistent pace, and while other riders were being caught out by the tricky conditions, the 37-year-old called on his vast experience to keep his composure and concentration to secure his 12th MotoGP podium.

“That was an unbelievable race and to finish on the podium feels amazing. I was happy to qualify eighth but never in a million years did I think I’d be on the podium just over a week after breaking my collarbone. I need to thank Dr Xavier Mir for the repair job he did on my shoulder and also my guys at Monster Yamaha Tech 3 because they gave me a phenomenal bike today. My shoulder felt great and it was the muscle damage around my ribs that caused me the most pain. But the rain definitely helped because it was a lot less physical than in the dry. I just gritted my teeth and got on with it, just trying to stay smooth and not make any mistakes. But I saw a few people succumbing to the conditions and I saw P3 on by board and I couldn’t believe it. It was difficult but it was a good way to the end the weekend for the team after what happened to Cal. Nobody wants to get hurt, but being injured for your home race is really tough to take, so I wish him a quick recovery and hope to see him back in Assen.”

NICKY HAYDEN, MARLBORO DUCATI

Race Position: 4^th               Championship Position: 6^th

“THAT’S THE FIRST TIME I’VE EVER HAD THE FASTEST LAP ON A DUCATI…”

Along with his team, Nicky Hayden found a very good setup for the wet, and the only thing that caused him to lose contact with the battle for the podium was the particularly treacherous conditions of the early laps, when he came close to crashing his GP11 Ducati on a couple of occasions. Clearly at home in the wet, he posted the fastest lap of the race and finished just off the podium.

“To be honest, I really liked my chances for a podium in the rain; if you’d have told me before the race that I could have fourth, I’d have said, ‘No thanks, I can do better,’ but I’m not disappointed with my ride. I didn’t get a great start because the clutch was jumpy, and for the first few laps it was hard to see and to get heat in the tyres. I had a big moment on the exit of Turn 1 and actually jarred my shoulder pretty good, but I tried to hang in there. I saw Colin in front of me for the podium, and I really pushed. I think that’s the first time I’ve ever had the fastest lap on a Ducati, which is kind of cool even if you don’t get points for it. Full respect to Colin a week after breaking his collarbone, but I still don’t like him beating me for the podium! But we’ll take it and move on.”

Hiroshi Aoyama splashed home in 8th place and resides 7^th overall, while rookie Czech rider Karel Abraham finished in a fantastic 7^th place, bumping himself up to 10th in the championship standings.

Round 7 of MotoGP is at Mugello, Sunday July 3.

For more information on Arai Helmets please visit www.whyarai.co.uk