The morning was complicated for the local hero and reigning World Champion Nicky Hayden – halfway through the warm up he had a slight fall on the curve before the home straight after losing adherence on the front wheel of his Honda. This problem with the front tyre had been a problem that repeated itself over the whole weekend on Pedrosa`s bike too. Hayden got back on the track with his second bike but ended the warm up in a disappointing eleventh position. Dani Pedrosa, who set the fifth best time, was far away from Stoner`s best time. The Australin rider was unbeatable over the whole weekend, including the warm up. In the end Pedrosa was over 8 tenths off Stoner`s best time.
At 14:00, local time, the MotoGP race started. Dani Pedrosa started strongly from second position on the grid and reached curve two via the dirty zone but he had to open up his line to pass through, this meant that he lost first position to Stoner who went into the lead and he soon got away from the rest of the riders to get his sixth victory of the season. Nicky Hayden also had a problem on curve 1 as he clashed with Hopkins and was knocked off course, something that also damaged his brake pipes. After completing the first lap in 18th position the American Repsol Honda Team rider continued to race and moved up a few positions, but the precarious operation of his brakes finally obliged him to go to the pits and then retire, without doubt a big disappointment for him as he was racing in front of his compatriots.
At the front Pedrosa tried to maintain his pace by taking risks, but Vermeulen soon overtook him, and then Melandri and Rossi did the same. In the end Pedrosa crossed the line in fifth position 35 seconds behind the winner. The Repsol Honda Team rider was held back by the low level of adherence on his front tyre and then later on by the uncomfortable vibrations that appeared on his rear wheel.
After this difficult GP for the Repsol Honda Team riders they now have a summer break. The next race is on 19th August with the Czech Republic GP at the circuit of Brno.
