Julián Simón falls on lap four and Mike di Meglio succumbs to a slip on final time around in Germany.
Sachsenring (18th July 2010).- 41 riders on the tightest track present on the MotoGP calendar was never going to end cleanly and, true to predictions, five riders crashed out of the German Grand Prix on the opening lap. Heavy morning rain had been cleared somewhat by the 125cc riders, but the asphalt was still capable of a few surprises by the time Moto2 rolled around. Caution was the name of the game, as several more riders were forced to retire in a race won by Toni Elias from Andrea Iannone and Roberto Rolfo.
Mapfre Aspar riders had been on the pace all weekend, working well and placing high up in qualifying. Unfortunately, the team were unable to convert their Saturday form into points on Sunday. Julián Simón started from the front row in Sachsenring, and was in the fight for the victory at the end of the first lap. He was riding in third place later, but his race came to an early end when he hit a bump on the corner and fell to the ground. He was unable to restart his 600cc machine.
Teammate Mike di Meglio also ended the day with a DNF beside his name, although his fall came in the final moments. Rounding off the fifth row on the grid, the Frenchman had moved up to tenth in the fifteenth lap. He'd made up ten whole places, but was having grip problems with the front end. It all came to a head for Di Meglio on the final lap, turn one. He collided with another rider and went down, ending a miserable day at the German Grand Prix.
Julián Simón (DNF):
"Despite the crash, I still believe that the championship is up for grabs. Toni had some luck today and worked well; he's very consistent at the moment. We have to learn that you have to take few risks when conditions don't permit riding all-out. I was going for the win, because I felt comfortable and I like the circuit. I maybe dipped into corner too much and hit a bump mid-corner, which meant that the bars crossed and I hit the deck. The most positive thing that I can take from this situation is that I was fighting for the victory. I am going to continue working hard with the team, in order to cut the most amount of points between myself and the riders in front. Over the summer break I will take a rest and continue training."
Mike Di Meglio (DNF):
"I stalled on the start, so it was up to me to make a comeback. Despite still having problems with front tyre grip, I was able to pull back places bit-y-bit. As the laps went on I got a slightly better feeling, but I didn't want to risk things too much as I could have ended up on the asphalt. It is a consolation to know that I was able to gain positions, but at the start of the final lap I was hit by another rider and went down. To tell the truth it is a real pity, as for the second consecutive race I have been taken out unexpectedly."