MotoGP
Ducati had not won a race in the top category for 27 years. The last one was by Giacomo Agostini, in Nurburgring 1976. Starting today Loris Capirossi marks the beginning of a new historical era for the Italian make. It did not surprise anybody when he kneeled in front of his Ducati in the closed park. Even Valentino embraced him, he also has reasons to be happy because this was another demonstration of his genius. He went off the track after touching Max Biaggi�s bike on a corner but managed to get bak on in sixth position, eight and a half seconds behind Capirossi. Rossi gritted his teeth, no doubt he was angry, and then he began a great fightback � he set a new record for the Catalunyan circuit and overtook everybody until he reached Biaggi, who lost control and fell, then he was alone to try and catch Capirossi. Behind him Gibernau held on for a place on the podium. Rossi has increased his lead up to 47 points in the World classification; Sete is now second, with 88 - three more than Max Biaggi.

250cc
The 250cc classification is very tight and Fonsi Nieto has not missed out on a podium � he was on it in Italy last week too. But the bad news is that he could have won, he was convinced of that. His team made a mistake with the slates and showed him that he had three laps left when in fact there were two. Fonsi was prepared to overtake Puniet on the last lap when the chequered flag surprised him. Toni El�as made an error on the grid and stalled. He was last but fought back but this ruined his tyres. In the end his fourth position left him satisfied and second in the general classification, only 7 points behind Manuel Poggiali, he retired because of a mechanical problem in his Aprilia. El�as, Fonsi and Puniet are now tied on points in the general. The World Championship is again on fire.

125cc.
Daniel Pedrosa was the great little hero in Montmel�. The first one to try the cava. Dani has once again given a lesson in strategy, courage and determination. Last year he got the victory by only 91 thousandths and this year by a tenth ahead of Thomas Luthi. Even a second place would have been good after Lucio Cecchinello fell, he was sharing the leade with him before the race. Pedrosa wanted to win and will take a lead of 25 points to Assen, the circuit where he he got his first ever victory.

�