The 2012 MotoGP World Championship could not have ended any better for Team San Carlo Honda Gresini, with Michele Pirro taking a career best fifth place to finish the season with a CRT 'victory' whilst Alvaro Bautista took fourth to secure fifth place overall in the final championship standings. A season of hard work was rewarded for Michele and his team, just as it was last year when he took Moto2 victory here at Valencia. Today's result was also the best yet for any CRT rider in the first year of the new machines. Alvaro Bautista narrowly missed out on a podium finish to departing champion Casey Stoner after conceding a position with just two laps remaining but fourth place was enough for him to secure his objective before the start of the race and for Team San Carlo Honda Gresini to finish the campaign on a high.
Alvaro Bautista (4th)
“That was definitely the most difficult race of the season. On the warm-up lap I decided to come in and swap the bike for the other one with slick tyres on because I could see the track was drying. I tried to manage the situation as best I could out there and focus on our objective of making sure of fifth in the championship but I'm not happy with the performance because again I had no feeling on the front. But anyway the season is over now and I am happy with where we have finished and with the progress we have made over the course of the season. Thanks to the team, Fausto Gresini and all the sponsors who have supported us. Now we start looking towards 2013 and I am happy to be with the same team and all the guys who have worked so hard this year. We have a good base to work from and improve next year.”
Michele Pirro (5th)
“What a fantastic day! To finish fifth and as the top CRT, with the best CRT result of the season, is wonderful. It wasn't an easy race but we tried to push our best and take a few risks. Like last year when I won the Moto2 race I could feel Marco's hand on my shoulder, giving me a push, and I feel this is a fitting way to say good bye to Team Gresini. The past two years with them have been very important for my career so I want to thank each and every member. The memories of our victory together here at Valencia last year and this fantastic result today will stay with us forever and it has been wonderful to write a small chapter in the history of this great championship. Thanks everybody.”
Fausto Gresini
“It was a difficult race and we have suffered a lot! The primary objective was for Alvaro to secure fifth in the championship and we have achieved that. He struggled throughout the race but he managed the situation well and even though it would have been nice to see him on the podium there wasn't much he could do about Stoner. Anyway, mission accomplished and this was a good way to end our first season together. To cap off a fantastic day we have achieved victory with Pirro amongst the CRTs, which has been a goal of ours since the start o the season. It came in a strange race but the important thing is that it came and I am delighted for everybody in the team who has worked so hard on this project for the last year. Fifth place is an extraordinary result, the best of any CRT this year, and it is nice to be able to say goodbye to him with this wonderful memory to savour.”
San Carlo Honda Gresini Press Release
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