Italian MotoGP: Alex de Angelis jubilant with shock mugello fourth

Alex de Angelis produced arguably the result of the Italian GP today when he stormed to a career best fourth place in Mugello.

After a crash strewn start and a best result of 11th so far in the opening five races, de Angelis looked a long shot to play a pivotal role in today’s 23-lap race.

But he stunned  by topping the timesheets in this morning’s warm-up session and then produced a rousing fightback through the field after he’d ended up dead last at the first corner.

Despite a huge top speed disadvantage, he climbed his way from 15th at the end of lap to fourth by lap nine.

Had he not been forced to come from so far back, the San Marino rider believes he could have even fought for a dream home podium  with Dani Pedrosa.

He said: “I am so happy with this result. This has been an unforgettable day for me. I was fastest in the warm-up and then I’ve had this fantastic result in the race. I knew the bike was working well but I was a little bit down on top speed and I wasn’t sure if I could stick with the other riders early in the battle.

“But I got a disastrous start and I was near the back at the first corner. I refused to give up and it was great to come through the field and make so many overtakes. At one point I even thought I might get a podium because Pedrosa had lost touch with (Casey) Stoner and he was lapping slower than me. Fourth is still a real bonus.”