Site Map You are here: Home > Motorbike news > June 2007 > Vermeulen can stand the rain
Vermeulen can stand the rain
Chris Vermeulen enhanced his reputation as a wet track specialist with a podium finish in the British GP last weekend, although he claims not to be averse to drier weather either.
Having started well at Donnington, Vermeulen then slipped to sixth place but recovered as the track dried and eventually overhauled Valentino Rossi with four laps to go in order to finish third.
It was the third podium of his career and all of them have so far been in the wet, although on this occasion the Australian felt the rain hindered his mid-race performance by causing his helmet visor to steam up, badly limiting his vision.
Motorcycle Insurance - Fantastic quotes!
He explained: "When the rain stopped I was able to lift my visor up a bit and that cleared the misting and I was able to push harder again.
"I passed John [Hopkins] and Valentino and very nearly caught Colin [Edwards] but I ran out of laps. I am very happy to be on the podium and now let's go and do it again - preferably in the dry!"
Yet the conditions undoubtedly gave Vermeulen an advantage over Rossi and the Italian is certainly an admirer of the Suzuki rider, having branded him a wet weather "magician" after his victory last month in a similarly soaked French GP.
Vermeulen is now sitting fourth in the overall standings, five points ahead of teammate Hopkins, 18 behind third-placed Dani Pedrosa and 77 behind current overall leader and compatriot Casey Stoner.
Related articles
Government approach to motorcycling earns MAG's praise
Stoner extends lead as rain comes down
FEMA celebrates potential guardrail change
Bookmark with:
Motorbike News
29/08/08 - Biker helps hospital that helped him. A biker from Norwich who required a heart transplant is planning to raise money for the hospital that treated him.
29/08/08 - Fire service to liaise with bikers. Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue is trialling a new rescue response motorbike to enable it to better engage with the biker community.
28/08/08 - Bikers raise cash for rescuers. Burnham motorcyclists are to stage a fundraising bike ride for a local rescue service, it is reported.
