Pictures: Melandri takes out Bayliss.
For the second time in as many races, a mistake by Movistar Honda's Marco Melandri resulted in a Camel Honda rider crashing out - the Italian, who clipped Alex Barros on lap one of the US GP, falling on his own at Donington Park on Sunday... but then inadvertently forced Troy Bayliss to take what would be terminal evasive action.
Melandri began the race from third on the grid, and held that position for lap one of the race before being demoted by countryman Valentino Rossi on lap two. But Marco's race would end when he lost control of his RCV at the final turn a lap later.
For the second time in as many races, a mistake by Movistar Honda's Marco Melandri resulted in a Camel Honda rider crashing out - the Italian, who clipped Alex Barros on lap one of the US GP, falling on his own at Donington Park on Sunday... but then inadvertently forced Troy Bayliss to take what would be terminal evasive action.
Melandri began the race from third on the grid, and held that position for lap one of the race before being demoted by countryman Valentino Rossi on lap two. But Marco's race would end when he lost control of his RCV at the final turn a lap later.
"I got a good start and I was feeling relaxed but when I opened the gas out of the final corner it threw me off. That was it - before I realised it I was on the floor," sighed second in the points Melandri.
However, a charging Bayliss was in Melandri's wheel tracks at the time of his fall and - having picked his machine up to avoid the initial incident - was then forced even wider to try and avoid the sliding Italian, whom the Australian clipped before running onto the grass and being thrown off at almost walking pace.
"I got a good start, and despite the conditions being awful, I felt comfortable in the front group, and I was right in there," began Troy. "Unfortunately when Marco crashed in front of me he was too close and I tried to avoid him, but I touched him and I was forced out onto the grass where I couldn't control my bike. There's no point saying how disappointed I am, but it was just a racing incident."
Team principal Sito Pons also knew Melandri's actions were clearly unintentional, but couldn't hide his disappointment at the end result.
"I'm sorry that Melandri once again caused, although absolutely involuntarily, one of our riders to exit the race," he said. "However I understand that these things happen, that's racing, I'm just sorry for Troy because he was up there and didn't get the chance to demonstrate the massive progress he has made in the last two races. He will be strong again at the Sachsenring."
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
