Toni Elias stormed his way on to the podium in the Czech Republic this weekend, fighting off British Grand Prix winner Andrea Dovizioso. He finished the race at the Brno circuit in third position behind fellow Spaniard Dani Pedrosa and favourite Valentino Rossi.
The victory will surely enable Elias to secure a ride for next season, after his contract with the San Carlo Honda Gresini team comes to an end.
With Casey Stoner’s mystery illness keeping him out of this race, and the succeeding two races in Indianapolis and San Marino, now is the chance for points to be scored elsewhere. Replacement Mika Kallio, who has swapped his satellite Ducati ride for the factory model, crashed out with two laps to go, after colliding with Hayate Team’s Marco Melandri in a poorly judged overtaking manoeuvre.
Elsewhere the battle continued to rage between Fiat Yamaha riders Rossi and Lorenzo, who batted back and forth setting the record lap time for the track. The dream ended for Lorenzo, however, when he fell with only five laps left, leaving the race wide open for another Rossi victory.
Rossi indeed ended this leg of the championship in first place, with an eleven second lead over second place Dani Pedrosa, and twenty seconds faster than Elias. Repsol Honda rider Dovizioso finished in fourth, followed by Suzuki’s Loris Capirossi and Ducati’s Nicky Hayden. Brit James Toseland placed ninth.
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