Elias Wins 250cc Grand Prix At Motegi

Elias Wins 250cc Grand Prix At Motegi

© 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

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Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

250cc Grand Prix Results
23 laps, 110.423 km
Sunday, October 5
Twin Ring Motegi
Motegi, Japan

1. Toni ELIAS, Aprilia, 43:57.125

2. Roberto ROLFO, Honda, -1.483 seconds

3. Manuel POGGIALI, Aprilia, -2.159

4. Yuki TAKAHASHI, Honda, -6.018

5. Hiroshi AOYAMA, Honda, -6.163

6. Randy DE PUNIET, Aprilia, -20.407

7. Naoki MATSUDO, Yamaha, -25.938

8. Fonsi NIETO, Aprilia, -28.417

9. Alex DEBON, Honda, -39.804

10. Choujun KAMEYA, Honda, -39.919


250cc World Championship Points

1. POGGIALI, 206

2. ROLFO, 188

3. ELIAS, 176

4. DE PUNIET, 172

5. F. NIETO, 151



More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing:

Tony Elias (Aprilia) won the 250 race from Roberto Rolfo (Fortuna Honda RS250RW) with Manuel Poggiali third (Aprilia). Elias made his break right from the start, leading into turn one and never relinquishing his lead throughout the 23 laps of the 4.801km track.

But although Elias hauled himself into remote title contention with his win, Rolfo was the man who did the most to improve his Championship chances by taking points off Poggiali. And perhaps more crucially, Rolfo showed the San Marinese title leader that he simply will not give up his chase for 250 honours this year.

The last six races in the 250 World Championship have now been won by six different riders and Rolfo is the only rider to have scored points at all the 13 races so far this year. His consistency is as much to do with his absolute determination to take the fight to his rivals at every opportunity as it is to do with his ability to ride within the limits of himself and his machine.

Rolfo had to use all his wiles to get the better of Poggiali and the Italian made his move on the penultimate lap. But Poggiali pounced back before Rolfo finally made his pass stick and when Poggiali got his machine a bit too loose in his bid to re-pass Rolfo he lost touch and Rolfo netted second in comparative comfort.

“There’s huge satisfaction to be had from second on the podium,” said Rolfo. “We had some huge problems during practice but we knew how to rescue the situation. The result is very important for the Championship and second place was in my hands – that’s why I fought so hard.”

The World Championship points tallies show Poggiali on 206, Rolfo with 188 and Elias in the hunt with 176.

Honda Rider Quotes

250cc:

Roberto Rolfo, Fortuna Honda, 2nd: “This is a huge satisfaction to be second on the podium. We had some problems during practice but we knew how to rescue the situation in an adequate way and that made everything good with the Fortuna Honda.

“I knew that the start was going to be one of the most important moments of the race and Ii was concentrating at my maximum. At the end of the first straight I was with the leaders and only Elias was untouchable, second place on the podium was in my hands. That’s why I fought so hard so that nobody else could possibly escape. The bike worked perfectly today, both the chassis and the engine, that’s why I could fight for the podium.

“This result is very important for the team and the championship, we pulled back four precious points in respect to Poggiali. But I say sincerely I was never worried about the race. We are fighting for the championship and the best thing we can do is to continue this way with a view to the future, and with a much better evolution of the bike. If we do the results will come for me.”

Yukio Takahashi, Dy Do Miu Honda, 4th: “That was a hard race and I must say I enjoyed it but I really wanted to finish on the podium today. I studied how to race against the European riders because they go so hard right from the start – I have to learn to do the same. I had a great race with Aoyama San and I just managed to beat him.”

Hiroshi Aoyama, Harc-Pro Honda, 5th: “Ï have the same feeling about the race as Takahashi San, the Europeans go so hard right from the start. That made it difficult for me, as I was just too slow at the beginning of the race. I saw Rolfo and Poggiali and wanted to get with them and race against them but they were gone when I got into my rhythm.”

Sebastian Porto, Telefonica MoviStar Honda Jnr Team, dnf: “The crash was a bit strange when I got on the throttle it delivered a lot of power and the back end came round and I was and the back end came round. Luckily I didn’t get hurt, all I have is a swollen left ankle.”











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