Misano MotoGP Reaction: Toni Elias spares Ducati’s blushes

Toni Elias spared Ducati from a humbling home race in Misano today as he scored a second successive podium.

With reigning world champion Casey Stoner crashing out of the lead on lap six, Elias was promoted to third after he fended off the challenge of fellow Spaniard Dani Pedrosa.

Elias, who finished second earlier this month in Brno, said: “After Laguna Seca things have changed radically. I always had much better feeling with the bike and the results prove it. I hope to continue this way for the rest of the season.

“I would love to fight for the podium at each race. I know it’s not easy but I will try. I had a lot of fun here today even if this circuit, with all these turns, hard braking and acceleration is really tiring.

“At one stage I tried to follow Lorenzo but I made some mistakes and I decided to hold on my position and here is when Pedrosa caught me up. Therefore I decided to calm down a bit and I found back the initial race rhythm.”