From Aprilia:

Five wins in a row: Macio Melandri’s painful but fantastic victory

The dark clouds louring over the Sachsenring circuit just before the start of the 250 race were to write the epilogue to today’s contest, which was put to an end by the red flag as the heavens opened during the 23rd time round, just after 75% of the race had been completed in the previous, 22nd, lap. A trio of riders, Rolfo, Melandri and Porto – in that order – held firmly onto the first three places as they prepared for the final rush. On the 18th pass, Melandri’s team put out a clear signal when they saw that rain was about to fall: “PUSH”. Macio thus upped the ante and took the lead, crossing the line in first place for the last four laps before the race was suspended. On the 23rd lap, Marco went for a slide on the wet track, just moments before the red flag put an end to the race. Under the rostrum, Macio displayed a conspicuous mark caused by the fall on his crash helmet and his head was still spinning after striking the ground. He was immediately tended to by Dr Costa of the Mobile Clinic and soon recovered. His current condition is not worrying. Today’s win puts Melandri 25 points (one GP) ahead of his closest rival, Nieto – who came fourth today – in the World Championship ratings. Marco puts his name to Aprilia’s 131st win in the GP.

Just before, in the 125 race, Arnaud Vincent (second consecutive win) had given Aprilia its 130th victory in the World Road Racing Championship. Again in the 125, three Aprilias went up onto the podium for the second time this year (the first such achievement was in Jerez) and the Venetian company is now firmly in the lead in the constructors’ charts.

# 3 Marco Melandri – (MS APRILIA RACING) – 1st – 32’12.725

“The signal we agreed on with the team was quite clear. They realised that rain was imminent so they put out the PUSH sign. I opened right up and went past Rolfo, knowing that I’d have to defend the first place to the last. Rolfo was great: effective and fast. It sure was an exciting duel. Then I slid on the tarmac which was already wet after the first downpour. I got a hard blow in the stomach and struck my head on the ground. When I came under the podium, my head was whirling and now I feel pretty bad all over, but I’ve nothing to worry about. This was probably the most painful, but also the finest victory.

Marco Melandri

14 Wins (7 –250cc) (7 – 125cc)