It took a few rounds, but it looks like Valentino Rossi has finally found competitive settings for his Ducati. The Italian scored his first podium finish of the 2011 MotoGP season today. Rossi’s teammate, Nicky Hayden, took 7th.
“We’re very pleased with this podium because we’re on the right path, and especially because I had fun today,” Rossi said. “I rode the Desmosedici well, I was fast in the technical parts of the track, I felt good from start to finish and I had good lap times.
“I knew I could beat Lorenzo, so that was my goal. I’m happy for myself, for my team, for Filippo (Preziosi), and for all the boys at Ducati. This result boosts our morale. We still have to keep working and improving though, because there’s more to be done. I also have to improve and keep adapting my style to the Ducati, because I’m still not riding it as I should, but in the meanwhile, we’ll enjoy today’s nice race and podium.”
Nicky Hayden was also pleased with his position. Hayden started from the fourth row, and was able to work his way up to seventh place.
“We didn’t do ourselves any favors by starting 10th, but actually, we made a little step forward with the bike today. Seventh isn’t a great result for us, but I would say that overall, it’s probably been our best weekend yet.”
Rossi and Hayden are currently 5th and 6th respectively in the overall standings. The Ducati team will have a chance to better their position in three weeks when the MotoGP riders head to Catalunya.
