Assen, 28 June 2008: LCR Honda MotoGP Team rider Randy De Puniet did not finish the Dutch Grand Prix at Assen today as he got involved in Rossi’ s crash at turn five in the first lap. Riding the Michelin-shod Honda RC212V nr. 14, the 27-year-old showed his trademark getting good lap times in every session throughout the week end at the 4.555 km circuit which hosted the ninth round of the season.
After yesterday’s positive qualifying session, De Puniet started from the fifth place for the 26-lap race which was held on dry track despite the rain shower in the morning. De Puniet immediately set his good pace on race trim keeping the fifth position till the incident. He crashed out in the gravel with Rossi (who rejoined the race) suffering a small abrasion in his left thigh. Stoner won the race followed by Pedrosa and Edwards.
De Puniet - crashed: “We all deserve a lot better than this! Since the beginning of this week end my pace was consistently fast and could stay with the top 5 riders today. I made a very good start and was in the 5th position when Rossi crashed and I was “in the wrong place at the wrong time”. We both went out in the gravel but he rejoined the race. Probably he arrived to fast and lost the rear in the braking hitting my bike. I am very disappointed because we could fight for a good result here. Luckily I only suffered a small abrasion in my left thigh. Want to thank my Team for their excellent work during this week end”.
