Incredible victory from sick Toni Elias, increasing his championship lead

Three days of suffering were not enough to put the brakes on the indomitable Toni Elias, the Team Gresini rider producing another extraordinary display of courage and determination to take victory at Indy. Elias was helped slightly by a shortened race due to a red flag incident on the first lap but that takes nothing away from a sensational performance, which came despite a debilitating fever. Toni was exhausted at the end of the race but delighted with a victory that extends his lead at the top of the championship.

Toni Elias (1°): “I’m so tired! Only ourselves and the doctors at the Clinica Mobile know the true shape I was in this weekend. It has been an extremely difficult weekend because I had no strengh, my blood pressure was very low and I had a fever and pain all over my body. I just had to try and save as much energy as possible for the race and even though I made a few small mistakes I hung on, held off Simon was able to win. The 25 points we scored today are a real bonus and I have to thank everybody at the Clinica Mobile for helping me so much. I suffered and so did the team and the Moriwaki family, who are here at Indianapolis and are doing a wonderful job.”

Fausto Gresini: “Toni has produced another performance that I thought impossible. He was in a bad way and riding in torrid heat. I have to admit that we were a little lucky with the way the race was stopped and cut short by ten laps, which made life a little easier for Toni. However, once again Toni has shown great determination and after two days with a fever he was magnificent. He has a firm belief in the team and the bike and this all helps in conditions like this. We don’t want to start thinking about the championship yet but after looking at the standings maybe we can.”

Source: Gresini Racing Moto2