Racing continues even in the heart of the summer, and on 19th August at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Andrea Dovizioso recorded a third place finish for the fifth time this season. For Dovizioso, who is now clearly the best rider with a non-factory team, the result was an unexpected surprise. Tech 3 Yamaha has reason to be satisfied with the result because, even if on this occasion its second rider, Cal Crutchlow, was unable to cross the finish line, it is well ahead of the other privateers.
At Indianapolis, Dovizioso set the third quickest time in qualifying, which put him in a great place from the start and, during the race it was Casey Stoner he was pitted against most closely. Bravely, Stoner fought against increasing pain from an ankle injury sustained in a dramatic qualifying accident, but he managed to come home fourth. Crutchlow made a good start and was fighting for a points-scoring result when he fell and was unable to continue. At the front, Dani Pedrosa had a superb solo race.
“This podium is confirmation of magnificent team work,” explained Dovizioso, “and I am proud of the support I receive. (...) I would also like to pay tribute to Casey [Stoner] because, even if he wasn’t at his best, he’s still very hard to beat.” Cal Crutchlow, obviously disappointed, rued his accident: “I can't blame the track because it was on the part with the old asphalt. I opened the throttle and lost the front, but that was an area we seemed to be struggling with the whole weekend.”
For the next Grand Prix, which is only a week away, the teams return to Europe: next stop 26th August in Brno.
Standings
01// Jorge Lorenzo - Yamaha - 225 pts
02// Dani Pedrosa - Honda - 207 pts
03// Casey Stoner - Honda - 186 pts
04// Andrea Dovizioso - Yamaha Tech3 - 137 pts - Motul
05// Cal Crutchlow - Yamaha Tech3 - 106 pts - Motul
Photo credit: Stan Perec
