British MotoGP: Randy de Puniet toasts ‘dream’ podium

French rider Randy de Puniet hailed only his second MotoGP podium as a ‘dream’ after he claimed third in a dramatic Donington Park clash.

After an exciting 10-lap battle with Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa, the LCR Honda was third on lap 13 as he produced an assured display in mixed conditions.

He was promoted to second place on lap 20 when Valentino Rossi tumbled out at slow speed at the Foggy Esses, but his hopes of a maiden win looked remote as he trailed Andrea Dovizioso by nearly 14 seconds on lap 23.

But coming under attack from a Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Colin Edwards gave de Puniet a second wind.

Locked in an intense battle with the Texan, the pair easily caught a nervy looking Dovizioso and reduced the gap to just 1.4s on the penultimate lap.

But with the Italian producing an ice cool final lap to claim his maiden MotoGP win, de Puniet had to settle for third place after he was passed by Edwards at Goddards on the final lap.

The French rider though was still elated with his result, coming just seven days after he’s suffered a massive first lap high-side at the German GP He said: “It’s like a dream for me and the team.

“It has been a very stressful race and I was very nervous on the grid, as the conditions were pretty bad.

“I got a good start on slick tyres and was very aggressive in the first laps. I got the sixth place but the gap on the front riders was too wide and I thought to keep my pace without taking any risk.

“Elias crashed in front of me and Pedrosa did not seem very confident on his machine. When he started to loose time I took my chance to pass him and we battled for several laps.

“I could overtake him, as my machine was a bit faster and suddenly realised that I was holding the third position.

“After Rossi’s crash I took second, remaining focused, as the surface was very slippery.

“Then Edwards came up quickly giving me the chance to reduce the gap on Dovizioso but it was too late and too dangerous so I kept my position and we battled for the second place until the last corner.”

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