Sachsenring MotoGP: Alex de Angelis surprised with fourth

Honda rookie Alex de Angelis admitted he was surprised to have made such a strong challenge for the podium today after he came close to a maiden top three finish in appalling conditions in Germany.

The San Marino rider put rain specialist Chris Vermeulen under intense pressure during the second half of a tough 30-lap race, but couldn’t overhaul the Aussie despite a determined last lap attack.

His fourth place though equalled his best ever result and he said: “Considering the dreadful weather today, the last thing I expected was to be fighting for the podium. Of course, I thought I could have a good race but for me that meant fighting for eighth or ninth place, so to finish fourth is very satisfying – even if a podium wouldn’t have been bad either! I went for it but I was held up at the end by Elias – both Vermeulen and myself were forced to change our line to get around him. It’s a shame because I was really strong in T3 and I could have tried something at the top of the hill. Anyway, I’m happy with my race because I didn’t have any bad moments, I got a good feeling straight away and feel I rode really well.”