Misano, 2 September: With a fast and smooth performance Honda LCR rider Carlos Checa finished a superb sixth in the San Marino e Riviera di Rimini Grand Prix today.
Under sunny skies and before a sell-out crowd , Checa added 10 points to his championship total, equalling his previous best result of the season, sixth place in Jerez.

Checa was the first rider on Michelin tyres to finish the 28 lap race which was won by Casey Stoner. After losing ground in heavy traffic in the opening laps, Checa moved to sixth on lap five by passing Colin Edwards and Anthony West. He then settled behind Loris Capirossi who finished in fifth place.

CHECA: Sixth - Championship: 14th/45 points

CHECA: “In the circumstances I’m very satisfied with this result thanks to the support of Honda with the engine update, and the work we have done with the chassis and tyres. After passing Edwards and West I could stay with Loris, right on his rear wheel, but gradually he pulled away as the front end of my bike started to push a little in the curves. I played with the engine map setting but in the end decided to make sure of sixth place and be the first Michelin rider”.

In the 250cc Grand Prix Irish rider Eugene Laverty finished in points, making a brilliant last corner pass on Efren Vazquez on the final lap to secure 15th position after starting 18th on the grid.

LAVERTY: “I took my brain out on the final lap and Vazquez braked early, the final corner really isn’t a normal place to overtake. I pushed 100% although the handling was difficult in tight corners but good in the fast curves. I was aiming to score points and I’m happy with this result.”