MotoReview

Valentino Rossi

"That was for sure one of the toughest battles of my entire career. I got a really good start and after I passed Sete I tried to escape but it was impossible, he was so strong today. For a long time I didn't know where Loris was because he had a bad start but once he arrived I knew I was in for a hard fight. I decided to let him pass and run behind him for a while but I didn't realise so many other riders were so close and they all came through! Suddenly I was down in fifth and had it all to do again. It was just an amazing fight for everybody and I think it is fantastic that it went down to the final lap between two riders, two factories, two tyre manufacturers but just one Country! This is great news for our sport. If I had to bet on who would win the last lap I honestly wouldn't have been able to choose. I don't think I took a breath over the last two laps but I made it and I am unbelievably happy. To do it in front of so many fans, family and friends is a special emotion and I won't be thinking about the championship tonight - just this wonderful race."

Loris Capirossi

"My start was so bad and I had chosen quite hard tyres so I was a little bit quiet in the first few laps. When my rhythm came good I started overtaking guys, though it wasn't easy because everyone was going so quick today. The battle with Valentino and Nicky was great, we overtook each other many times but always in a correct manner, it's always so nice to ride with Valentino. I enjoy races like that even if I don't win! To win here at Mugello is the best, but today I'm happy with second. Everyone in the team made a really great job this weekend, so thanks to them all. Bridgestone are coming better and better, we're at a very high level now and I hope we can continue improving. Our season started so well and it continues to go well, now I want more of this!"

Nicky Hayden

"After Le Mans I needed to come back this weekend and answer the bell, and today I did that. I didn't help myself with the start - I mean there's no excuses for getting a start like that! Regardless, it was a good battle and everybody was out for blood today.
I've had a few hard battles like that for seventh but it's fun when it's for the lead. Everyone was trying hard but nobody did anything too crazy.

"Melandri came up under me one time and I got into the corner hotter than I had all weekend - and he was in two bikes hotter than me so I didn't think he was going to keep it on the island. With the atmosphere here and the crowd, these are the days you really enjoy. Towards the end I was on the leaders and I actually felt a little bit stronger so I thought I might be able to try and spoil it for them a little bit. But there's no excuses today - I didn't get it done. Thanks to the Repsol Honda Team. We made some big changes on Friday which helped me a lot. Now the season has really started, we know who's going to be there every week and it's starting to get good. We're coming to a few tracks I really like and tomorrow we'll do some testing which should help. I'm having fun but I definitely want to win some races along the way."

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