Rossi Takes Off Stoner In Jerez Race

Casey Stoner was taken off track by Valentino Rossi at the Spanish Grand Prix this Sunday after just seven laps of the race.

"We made a good start to the race and the bike felt good for the first few laps, then the tyres seemed to move a little so we tried to conserve them in case it rained again," Stoner commented. "I really wanted the chance to fight the Spanish riders here in a dry race, so it was disappointing for me that that it was wet.

"However, we were competitive here in the wet and dry and this is very important for us - at a track that hasn't been that great for me in the past. After so much hard work I hate to have a race like this because the team did a great job all weekend and now we go home empty handed."


Stoner also hit out at the track marshalls, as he was extremely upset by the lack of help when his Honda RC212V was stuck in the gravel.

"With the accident, I heard Valentino arriving and I wasn't worried about anyone passing me at that point in the race so I gave him plenty of room. It was a racing incident and there's not much we can do, what is more frustrating is the reaction of the stewards and their assistance for Valentino and not for me, it was unbelievable.

"I want to just get to the next race now in Estoril, where I'm sure we can be competitive again."