James Toseland battled through 22 laps of pure hell to finish a brave 13th in the Cardion ab Grand Prix of the Czech Republic in Brno this afternoon. Tyre problems never gave the 27 year old Yorkshireman a chance on the Tech 3 Yamaha at the 3.357 mile circuit where Toseland finished first and second in the World Superbike Championship last year. Despite those major tyre problems, he battled to the finish to pick up a couple of World Championship points.

“We’ve had another tough weekend with rain once again affecting qualifying and causing difficulties with set-up,” says Toseland. “With that in mind, I’m satisfied to have just been able to finish the race. Picking up a couple of points was an added bonus. We’ve now got to put this race behind us as further experience and focus on tomorrow’s test and the next race at Misano.”

Twelve Years On – Rossi Still on Top in Brno

Twelve years ago a spotty faced teenager won his very first grand prix in the 125 cc race in Brno. Twenty nine year old Valentino Rossi returned this afternoon to win his 93rd grand prix and perhaps more importantly build up a 50 point lead in the World Championship with just six rounds remaining.

Not only did Rossi win his fourth grand prix of the season riding the Fiat Yamaha but his great rival Casey Stoner crashed out while being chased by Rossi when he fell from the Ducati and unlike Laguna Seca four weeks, go could not resume. It was a bitter blow for the Australian as he strives to retain his World Championship.

Spaniard Toni Elias was a brilliant second riding the Alice Ducati as he fights for his MotoGP future with veteran Loris Capirossi securing his first podium finish of the season on the Rizla Suzuki.

The next round of the Championship is at Misano in Italy just ten kilometres from Rossi’s home. The Italian returns home in good shape.

Race result:

1. V. Rossi 43’28.841
2. T. Elias +15.004
3. L. Capirossi 21.689
4. S. Nakano +25.859
5. A. West +29.465
6. C. Vermeulen +30.608
7. M. Melandri +36.453
8. A. De Angelis +36.750
9. A. Dovizioso +38.822
10. J. Lorenzo +39.573
13. J. Toseland +1’11.490

Championship standings (after round 12):

1. Rossi 237
2. Stoner 187
3. Pedrosa 172
4. Lorenzo 120
5. Dovizioso 110
6. Edwards 102
7. Vermeulen 99
8. Hayden 84
9. Nakano 83
10. Capirossi 77
11. Toseland 75

Smith Sixth as Rivals Fly

Bradley Smith fought his way into sixth place in the 125 cc race won by 18 year old German Stefan Bradl after leading the early stages. Rain in practice and qualifying meant little set-up time in the dry for the 125 cc riders and it was the Polaris World team of Smith that suffered.

“I made a great start and led but I could not believe how fast the others were when they went past,” revealed the 17 year old. We had found a better set up and pace during the dry morning warm-up but I just could not stay with the others when they went past. I kept going as fast as I dared and sixth place keeps me in seventh place in the Championship.”

Fifteen year old Scott Redding made an impressive Brno debut but finally dropped to 11th place while Danny Webb crashed on the very first lap.

In the dry 250 cc race Ulsterman Eugene Laverty, who had been praying for rain, finished just out of the points in 16th place on the ageing Blusens Aprilia.