Valentino Rossi breaks podium drought at Le Mans – Nicky Hayden caught out by something on track

The saying one swallow does not a summer make as Valentino Rossi knows perfectly well, as in the dry he isn’t competitive, but after taking a second spot on the podium with his Ducati at a wet Le Mans he at least he can say that he hasn’t completely lost it and the sacred fire of racing still runs deep in his belly as he proved it, but its still bewildering that no one understands really understand why the Desmosedici is easier to ride in the wet.

“I’m really, really happy.
We knew we had a special opportunity in the wet today, so I tried to ride perfectly and not throw it away,” said Rossi.
“I started well and immediately made up some positions, and then I passed the two Yamahas to get behind Stoner.
I was able to match his pace, but then my visor started to fog and I had to slow down for a couple of laps until I was able to clear it by lifting it a little.

Once I could see again, I re-passed Cal and then Dovi.

When I realized that I could really push hard and that it was possible to catch Stoner again, I went for it.
It was a great race and a nice, fun battle with Stoner to the last lap.
I enjoyed myself and I’m happy for my team and all the guys at Ducati, who are working so hard for me.
Now we must continue giving our all until we’re also able to be competitive in the dry.
We found a good base to work from in Portugal, and it wasn’t bad in the dry here, either, although not as good as in the wet.
Now our main goal is to take another step forward and make up some more tenths.
”Nicky Hayden was another rider besides Randy de Puniet -who crashed out at the start – who was caught out by something on the inside of the track that spun their tires hampering their start – it could have been Julian Simon’s bike leaking something after his Moto2 crash and when he pushed it over the finish line.
“There must have been something on the inside of the track just after the start, because everybody that went on that side either crashed or almost did.
My jump was really good, and then just as I was ready to go to second gear, the tyre completely broke loose and the bike started fishtailing.
I got buried in the pack and couldn’t see for the first few laps.
Once I got through some guys and had a clear track, my rhythm wasn’t too bad.
I was bringing Bradl and Pedrosa back a bit, but when I got it down to two seconds, I almost crashed and had to try again.
I got to Bradl’s wheel at the end but just couldn’t do anything.
It’s frustrating because we’ve got a really good wet bike.
I know we had more potential than sixth, but the start hurt me.
Congratulations to the team for the podium.
They certainly deserve it,” said Hayden.
Ducati and their factory riders will be involved in a private three day test at Mugello this week to evaluate new parts and a smoother engine after the post race Estoril test was ruined by rain.