MotoGP – Laguna Seca – Comeback race for Tamada

Comeback race for Makoto Tamada after a very difficult first lap. Makoto, who started from ninth position on the starting grid, lost four positions already at the first corner where contact between two riders forced him to choose a very outside line to avoid being involved in this first chaotic phase of the race.
On the first lap Makoto therefore passed fifteenth, immediately implementing one of his usual determined strong comebacks which allowed him to reach up to seventh position under the checkered flag of the United States Grand Prix. Nine important points achieved on a technical and difficult track where he won the Honda of Nicky Hayden's official team. Makoto is currently in thirteenth position in the world rider rankings, while Team Konica Minolta Honda maintains eighth position in the special Team rankings with 39 points.

Gianluca Montiron – Director of Konica Minolta Honda

“All in all, a satisfying race for us. An honorable seventh place in a competitive race. Makoto is recovering his physical condition and despite the operation he underwent last week on his right forearm, he managed to maintain a good pace throughout the race. For us, this was one of the first races of the year in which we competed in almost optimal conditions, and this makes us look positively at the rest of the season. We consider this the starting point for obtaining the results we all aim for.”

Makoto Tamada – Konica Minolta Honda rider
(7th – 45'37.867)

“In the first corner of the race I had to leave the inside of the track to Barros and Nakano who both touched me on the left side of the bike. I seriously risked falling, but somehow I managed to stay on my bike despite losing precious time and several positions. While I was overtaking Nakano, towards the end of the race, I perhaps closed the curve too much, touching the rubber poles that border the track with my left hand and this distracted me in some subsequent corners. The RC211V and the tires were effective, allowing me to recover various positions. My feeling with the bike, at the end of the race, with the tank almost empty and therefore lighter, is clearly improving. I consider this race a positive experience for me and for the team, after all it is only now that I am in good physical condition after a series of annoying problems."

JiR Racing