Updated Post: Marco Melandri Wins His Eighth 250cc GP Of 2002 In Czech Republic

Updated Post: Marco Melandri Wins His Eighth 250cc GP Of 2002 In Czech Republic

© 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

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Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

250cc Grand Prix Results From Brno:

1. Marco Melandri, Aprilia, 20 laps, 41:41.572
2. Sebastian Porto, Yamaha, -7.023 seconds
3. Toni Elias, Aprilia, -8.135 seconds
4. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, -8.307 seconds
5. Casey Stoner, Aprilia, -11.322 seconds
6. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, -11.636 seconds
7. Roberto Locatelli, Aprilia, -16.988 seconds
8. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, -20.984 seconds
9. Haruchika Aoki, Honda, -21.002 seconds
10. David Garcia, Honda, -30.259 seconds
11. Ralf Waldmann, Aprilia, -30.357 seconds
12. Jay Vincent, Honda, -30.805 seconds
13. Alex Debon, Aprilia, -43.952 seconds
14. Dirk Heidolf, Aprilia, -44.141 seconds
15. Raul Jara, Aprilia, -50.513 seconds


More, from a press release issued by MS Aprilia:

Marco “Macio” Melandri: sixth victory in a row.

He beat them all, and the flu as well, and shot off to his sixth victory on the hop (the seventh this season) equalling Freddie Spencer, one of the greats, who also made six in a row in the 250 in 1985. “Macio” was just three years old at the time. After completing the first lap in fifth place, Marco was soon up with Nieto and Rolfo in the leading trio, who were to battle it out for the lead. Marco kept up a good pace, trying to look after his physical state, which has not been at its best over the last few days as he has been getting over the flu, and save it up for the closing stages of the race when he would have to give it all he’d got. When the moment was just right, and it was time to take the race into his hands, he shot past Nieto, who shortly after made a mistake, and then past Rolfo, who did the same. At that point, the young lion from Ravenna bumped up the pace towards victory and, one lap from the end, made the fastest lap of the race. With this victory, Macio gives Dunlop, the Anglo-Japanese tyre manufacturer, its 100th consecutive win in the 250 class.

Melandri is now well out ahead in the championship, having increased his advantage over runner-up Nieto (Aprilia) to 37 points.


# 3 Marco Melandri – (MS APRILIA RACING) – 1st – 41:41.572

“I didn’t want to waste all my energy at the beginning, as I was a bit afraid I wouldn’t be fit enough to stand it all the way to the end. But the session I spent with Dr. Costa before the race gave me the strength to go flat out in the last five laps and win. I’m grateful to the doctors of the Mobile Clinic. Midway through the race, the rhythm wasn’t all that hot, but then I realised that it was time to up the ante and I decided to get past Nieto and go for the final rush. Then I slipped past Rolfo and, only when I couldn’t hear his engine any more through my helmet, I realised I’d got away from him or he’d made a mistake. Then on the mega-screen at the trackside, which shows the pictures of the race, I could see he was no longer behind me. I was sorry for Roberto, but I also thought that I was going towards my sixth victory in a row. I’m really happy I’ve been able to equal Freddie Spencer’s record: I think he was a great rider and I can’t deny that I wouldn’t mind winning three World Championships like he did. It gave me great pleasure to be congratulated on the phone by President Beggio, just after the prize-giving.”


Marco Melandri

15 Wins (8 –250cc) (7 – 125cc)

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