Monterey, 22 July: On a near perfect summer’s day Honda LCR rider Carlos Checa finished fourteenth in today’s U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca. The Spanish rider put in a maximum effort over the 32 lap race but could not find the pace to fight for his pre-race target -- a top ten position. Checa made a strong start and moved forward four positions to 11th on the opening lap, before settling in tenth position until lap seven.

But despite two days of work by the LCR team, Checa did not find a comfortable set-up for the unique demands of the Laguna Seca circuit. He battled bravely but was disappointed to finish 14th and score two world championship points. Checa is hoping that a return to more familiar surroundings for the Czech Grand Prix at Brno will allow him time to become more familiar with set-up options for the latest specification Honda RC212V. The race was won by Casey Stoner before 52,000 spectators.

CHECA: Fourteenth - Championship: 15th/29 points

CHECA: “It was a difficult race and after the opening laps I couldn’t stay with the second group and fight for a place in the top ten which was my target today. I pushed until the end but nothing I tried made a difference, so we need to try and better understand our package of new chassis and tyres. I did not have the feeling with the rear of the bike that I needed to be faster and this is something to look at for the coming races. Hopefully a return to Europe and the race at Brno will be a boost for me and the LCR team.”