MotoGP news
Stoner misses out on podium finish
17 May 2009 / Results / PhotosCasey Stoner had to settle for a fifth place that was certainly creditable but not entirely satisfactory to the Australian, who would surely have fought for the podium if it weren't for a technical problem in the dry part of the race.
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Despite making an excellent start Stoner was not totally comfortable with his wet set-up and struggled during the early stages, dropping from second place to seventh in just three laps. After changing to a bike fitted with slick tyres he then encountered a problem with his steering damper, which he managed to fix himself but lost valuable time as a result. Once he got back into his rhythm he was able to pass compatriot Chris Vermeulen for fifth place and pick up eleven crucial points that leave him level in the championship with Valentino Rossi on 65 points - one behind today's deserved winner Jorge Lorenzo.
Speaking about his race Stoner told the gathered press: "I'm pretty disappointed because I don't think we realised our potential at all today - the wet bike we started with had a big problem and I couldn't find any traction from the warm-up lap.
"I never felt comfortable and I was losing a lot of time but it still wasn't dry enough to come in for slick tyres. Then when I switched over my other bike had a problem with the steering damper and after four laps I had to take my hand off the gas coming down the straight to fix it. After that I felt much better, the bike was more comfortable and I was able to ride to my potential.
"I think if it wasn't for that we would have been able to battle for the podium today but unfortunately these things happen sometimes and we just have to hope things work out better next time."
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