LCR Honda rider Toni Elias crashes out of Gran Premio de Aragon – MotoGP news
LCR Honda rider Toni Elias crashed out of his home event, Gran Premio de Aragon on Sunday, September 18, 2011.
The former Moto2 world champion collided with Loris Capirossi and both ended in the gravel.
Elias said, “Despite the crash I feel satisfied because I pushed hard for the whole race. Once again I had a very good start and the first laps I tried hard to follow the group. But, as has happened in the past races, I lacked traction control and the guys
started to pass me.”
The Moto2 champion did not have the power for a strong corner exit which caused him to qualify in last place on the grid. Despite of lack of power, he was still confident for the race day.
Initially the Spanish rider started off in a good rhythm and maintained a decent position in the race. As he climbed to a ninth seat in the race by the end of the first lap, he was strong to make some more overtakes. However, Elias started to face traction
problem with his satellite RCV.
Elias added, “I couldn’t maintain the same pace and then Loris hit me with 7 laps to go. We both went out in the gravel, but I’m not angry because this is racing. I’m just happy we are both okay.”
With losing traction, he had to slow down and the rest of the riders behind him passed ahead. The drop in race pace caused Elias to dramatically slow down. Loris Capirossi of Pramac Racing rammed into his rear end while entering a corner.
The crash catapulted both riders into the gravel. Capirossi was seen in severe pain, whereas Elias instantly got up. The Italian rider was called to dislocate his shoulder. Elias escaped any kind of injury and will resume racing in the Japanese Grand Prix.
Elias still claims that the crash has not disappointed him much. It is because he had to push very hard to claim a good position in the race but the issue had already cost him the race. Still he is happy with no severe injuries for both riders.
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