Mugello, 1 June 2008: Under sunny skies the Italian Grand Prix was run at a very hot pace today but LCR Honda MotoGP Team rider Randy De Puniet did not finish the race crashing out on lap six. Despite some adjustments in the morning warm up to improve the rear feeling of his Michelin-shod Honda RC212V, De Puniet did not feel confident during the 23-lap race won by Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi.

Starting from the 12th the 27-year-old get a good start and finished the first lap in ninth but lacked full confidence in the rear. He tried to settle his rhythm anyway but on lap six at turn 2 he crashed out in the gravel whilst he was overtaking Vermeulen. Randy suffered a small injury on his left little finger but will be ok for Barcelona race next week end.

De Puniet - crashed: “I am very disappointed because I made a very good start, probably the best of this season, and I was in the top ten on the first lap. But I immediately felt a strange feeling in the rear and the bike started to slide and bump. I tried to keep my position but it was not possible and lost some places. Then, on lap six at turn two, I overtook Vermeulen but he probably hit my brake level and was not able to control the bike. I crashed and suffered a small injury in my left little finger. It aches a lot now but it will be ok for Barcelona”.


Race:

1 Rossi
2 Stoner
3 Pedrosa
4 De Angelis
5 Edwards
6 Toseland
7 Capirossi
8 Dovizioso
9 Nakano
10 Vermeulen
11 Guintoli
12 Elias
13 Hayden
14 Okada
15 West

OUT: Lorenzo, Hopkins, De Puniet, Melandri