Grand Prix of China
Shanghai International Circuit, China
Sunday 1st May

ROSSI TAKES HISTORIC VICTORY IN FIRST EVER RACE AT SHANGHAI

Gauloises Yamaha Team rider Valentino Rossi made history once again today,
becoming the first rider to take a MotoGP victory at Shanghai, with a stunning
performance in torrentially wet conditions at the inaugural Grand Prix of China.
Despite starting from sixth place on the grid Rossi took control of the race on
the fifth lap, passing early leader Kenny Roberts (Suzuki) and opening up a
clear gap over the chasing pack. 

It was an advantage the reigning World Champion would never let slip, holding
his concentration for the next seventeen laps despite the attentions of surprise
challenger Olivier Jacque (Kawasaki), riding in place of the injured Alex
Hofmann. Jacque passed Sete Gibernau (Honda) for second place with seven laps to
go and closed in on Rossi at the front, but was unable to seriously threaten the
Italian's charge to his second victory from the opening three rounds of the
championship.

With Marco Melandri (Honda) eventually passing Gibernau on the final lap to
snatch third place, Rossi's advantage at the top of the World Championship now
stands at 25 points over his Italian compatriot. A determined performance from
his team-mate Colin Edwards, who rode from thirteenth on the grid to take the
flag in eighth, means Gauloises Yamaha now lead the teams' championship, with
Yamaha also on top in the manufacturers' standings.

VALENTINO ROSSI - 1st place (Race time - 50'02.463)

"Out of all the victories in my career, this was the one I least expected - I am
really surprised. It is the first time I have won in the wet on the Yamaha, so
it is a special victory. We had some problems with the set-up of the bike this
weekend but the team made some modifications overnight, changing the front fork
setting, and already in the warm-up it felt good. I got off to a good start in
the race and I was quite surprised to be at the front so quickly. There was a
lot of water on the track so I had to keep my concentration at 100%. I was
smooth and in control all the way to the end and the race worked out perfectly
for me. All I can say is big thanks to Jeremy Burgess, the rest of the team and
Yamaha because we have worked especially hard for this win."

COLIN EDWARDS - 8th place (Race time - 50'33.496)

"I got a good jump from the line but there were a couple of guys trying to be
heroes in the first corner and they messed things up for me a little. After that
I just tried to make up positions but the spray made it difficult and it was
risky to get off the racing line. As soon as I had clear track in front of me my
pace was as good as the guys at the front, but I had a problem shifting down
through the gears and, coupled with the tyre wear, I couldn't do much more than
bring it home in eighth. I'm disappointed but it's good to have a race in the
wet and we know we're on the right lines for the rest of the season."

DAVIDE BRIVIO - TEAM DIRECTOR

"It was a fantastic day for us - Valentino was simply great. It was our first
race in the wet since Jerez last season and I think we saw how much the bike has
improved, so a big thank you goes out to all the team and engineers, who have
worked hard under a lot of pressure. Colin's starting position made it hard for
him but his pace was good and he picked up some important points. It's a
pleasure for us to take the first win in China and it was important because
we're now leading in the rider, team and manufacturers' championships. Now let's
continue like this!"

RESULTS

 1. VALENTINO ROSSI (ITA) Gauloises Yamaha Team   50'02.463
 2. Olivier Jacque (FRA) Kawasaki Racing Team        +1.700
 3. Marco Melandri (ITA) Movistar Honda MotoGP      +16.574
 4. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Movistar Honda MotoGP       +18.906
 5. Max Biaggi (ITA) Repsol Honda Team              +18.906
 6. Jurgen vd Goorbergh (NED) Konica Minolta Honda  +19.551
 7. John Hopkins (USA) Team Suzuki MotoGP           +21.622
 8. COLIN EDWARDS (USA) Gauloises Yamaha Team       +25.883
 9. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda Team            +31.033
10. Ruben Xaus (SPA) Fortuna Yamaha Team            +39.299

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

 1. VALENTINO ROSSI (ITA)  70
 2. Marco Melandri (ITA)   45
 3. Alex Barros (BRA)      43
 4. Max Biaggi (ITA)       36
 5. Sete Gibernau (SPA)    33
 6. COLIN EDWARDS (USA)    25
 7. Olivier Jacque (FRA)   20
 8. Shinya Nakano (JPN)    19
 9. Carlos Checa (SPA)     17
10. Nicky Hayden (USA)     16