Estoril in focus with Gavin Emmett

Estoril in focus with Gavin Emmett

Portugal top six gives De Puniet a boost

Tuesday, 02 November 2010

The LCR Honda rider was pleased with his best result since his mid-season injury, having come close to a podium finish at Estoril on Sunday.

Overall satisfaction for De Puniet

Randy de Puniet’s best result since his broken leg in July gave the Frenchman great satisfaction on Sunday, as he rode to sixth place in the bwin Grande Premio de Portugal.

The LCR Honda rider got a good start from his grid position of eighth and had risen to fifth by the end of the first lap, but a minor mistake in braking at turn one cost him some valuable seconds and he eventually crossed the finish line in sixth â€" 1.822s off the final podium spot.

“It was a good race for me,” said De Puniet. “I’m a little bit disappointed though because without a mistake in the first corner I would have been able to fight for the podium. I was so close, right on the back of the group.”

After top-ten finishes in the previous three rounds De Puniet’s Portugal result was a significant step forward, and he continued: “We had a very good race and the conditions were not so easy because on some parts of the track it was wet, but I’m quite satisfied because it’s my best result since the injury and I was close to the podium. It was important for me because the last few races have been difficult for me, so I am very happy to get back to my level.”

He added: “I’m also really happy to head to Valencia for the last race where I hope we’ll have a good race too.”

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