In a challenging 25-lap race, LCR Honda MotoGP rider Toni Elías finished 8th in the weekend’s Iveco Australian Grand Prix at a cloudy and cold Phillip Island.
The notorious unpredictable Island weather changed again during the premier class race with four riders crashing out in the last part when a rain shower hit the 4448km ocean track, however it could not dampen the spirits of the home supporters after Australian Casey Stoner raced to his second MotoGP World Championship.
Elías, riding the LCR RC212V had a hard weekend trying to fix his rear traction problems but Sunday’s lower track temperatures affected his performance. The Spaniard suffered edge grip issues from the beginning but managed to finish the Grand Prix in the top-10 ahead of Loris Capirossi and Karel Abraham and pick up eight points.
Toni Elías, LCR Honda
“This was a difficult race for us because the weather was pretty bad and in these conditions we always suffer very much. I could not warm up the rear tyre properly and from the beginning of the race I suffered with edge grip issues. We have been lucky because some riders crashed out in the last part of the race and we could finish in the top ten. Hopefully we can adjust the bike for next race in Sepang where the temperature is totally different”.
source: motogp official
