From a press release:

VALENCIA GRAND PRIX, VALENCIA, Race Day, Sunday September 23, 2001

HONDA RACING PRESS INFORMATION

Alex Barros (West Honda Pons NSR500) came within 0.293 seconds of winning his second GP of the year at Valencia today. The Brazilian rode a dazzling race in treacherous damp conditions and but for a cautious tire choice might have beaten eventual winner Sete Gibernau (Suzuki). The pair fought side by side for the last two thirds of the crash-ridden race, with reigning World Champion Kenny Roberts (Suzuki) finishing just behind in third.

World Championship leader Valentino Rossi (Nastro Azzurro Honda NSR500) scored his worst finish of the year after making a particularly conservative tire choice to ensure he didn’t fall on the ice-like track, made perilous by a brief pre-race shower. He ended the race in 11th but only lost one point to title-rival Max Biaggi (Yamaha).

Barros led more laps than Gibernau and looked the strongest of the trio until the crucial final laps, by which time the racing line was dry and he didn’t have enough grip to tackle the Spaniard. He had chosen an intermediate front and slick rear, while the Suzuki duo went for slicks all round, and the fact that he could stay with them spoke volumes for his riding and the user-friendly performance of his NSR500.

“I tried everything but during the last laps I couldn’t catch Sete on the brakes because he had a slick front and I didn’t,” explained the Brazilian. “The early laps were unbelievable, this track is so slippery in the wet. Anyway, I’m happy with the result which compensates me for my bad luck at Estoril, when I was taken out at the first turn. It’s also helped my championship position and now I hope for good results at the last four races.”

The early laps were chaotic with many riders falling victim to the hazardous surface. First to go was Loris Capirossi (West Honda Pons NSR500) who slid out of the lead at the very first corner. The Italian had already fallen on the warm-up, starting the race on his spare bike. “I had a rain front tire and intermediate rear but even that wasn’t enough for the conditions,” he said.

Tohru Ukawa (Repsol YPF Honda NSR500) rode a determined race for fifth, crossing the line sixth, just a fraction behind Olivier Jacque, both men finishing a fair way behind Carlos Checa (Yamaha). “I did the worst first lap of my life today,” said the Japanese, who completed lap one in tenth spot. “I had to slow to avoid Capirossi and that lost me several places. Then the same thing happened when Haga and Aoki crashed, which lost me a huge amount of time. After that I tried to maintain a good pace but it was a difficult race.”

Rossi was just pleased to have score some points, and though title-rival Max Biaggi (Yamaha) took tenth place from him in the final laps, his series advantage shrank by just one point and he goes into the final four ‘flyway’ GPs 42 points ahead of his compatriot. “So much effort for so little return,” said Rossi, who ran intermediates front and rear and comfortably led the race until the track began to dry. “Thinking of the championship we had to choose conservatively, so we didn’t risk too much in the early laps. Then I had to accept the others passing me and just make sure I finished.”

Former World Champion Alex Criville (Repsol YPF Honda NSR500) was one of many who fell victim to the conditions. Fighting a determined battle with Gibernau, he got forced off line and on to the damp, losing the front as he entered a turn. “Sete took the inside line and I had to leave him some room and run wide,” said Criville. “I could’ve won this race, I made the right tire choice and easily caught the leaders.”

Upcoming Rounds:


10/7 Twin Ring Motegi, Japan


10/14 Phillip Island, Australia