Honda LCR rider Carlos Checa rode a brave and forceful race to finish sixth in today’s Spanish Grand Prix at a sunny, but cool, Jerez before 132,000 spectators. Checa started strongly from third on the front row, but dropped back to sixth on the opening lap and that proved decisive, as Valentino Rossi and Dani Pedrosa raced away to early lead, with Rossi the race winner.

Today’s lower than anticipated temperatures (19 degrees) for the race, were not ideal for Checa’s rear tyre choice and he lacked grip and stability over the final stages. Checa engaged Casey Stoner and Toni Elias in an intense mid-race battle but could not close the gap on rivals over the final laps.

CHECA: Sixth - Championship: 12th/10 points

CHECA: “The lower track temperatures today did not give me the same feeling with the rear tyre as I had in practice, but even so it feels good to finish my home race and score some points. I made a good start but I was not decisive enough on the first lap and lost some positions, that cost me valuable time. I enjoyed the fight with Casey and Toni, this was the best part of the race, but when they pushed with five laps to go I did have the tyre grip to respond.”

Despite suffering arm pump because of tight-fitting new leathers, Irish rookie Eugene Laverty scored his first world championship points with a brilliant 14th place in the 250cc grand prix. Laverty passed ten riders on lap one with a superb first lap.

LAVERTY (250cc class): “I could have done even better without my arm problems, I was up to 12th with ten laps to go but then I had to back-off. I had to use new leathers after my crash yesterday and didn’t realise they were so tight on my forearms. I knew I had to be brave on lap one and it paid-off, this result is a great boost for me.”