Elias began the last lap of that race in third position, but overtook
both Roberts and Rossi into turn one then - having been repassed by Rossi later in the lap - snatched his first and so far only
MotoGP win by just 0.002secs after edging ahead of the seven times world champion on the run to the flag.
That win arguably saved Elias' Honda Gresini ride for 2007 and, unfortunately for the Spaniard, he faces a similar situation this time around - with his MotoGP future again up in the air, and not helped by the pain of a broken femur, sustained just over two months ago.
"I'm happy to be heading back to a circuit that holds so many fond memories for me," said Elias ahead of Estoril. "The win last season in MotoGP was probable the best of my career but now I am just looking ahead and trying to do well this Sunday. I'm just trying to improve my performance race by race - I got eleventh at Brno after three races out and seventh at Misano. They are not the results I want but at the moment I am restricted by my physical condition. I like the circuit, especially the uphill chicane, which characterises the kind of corner you get at this circuit - slow but technical esses, probably the slowest in the world. The straight is long, almost a kilometre, and is very fast, followed by hard braking. The final bend is quite fast and crucial to a good lap time."
Elias took a second place finish earlier this season, his only 800cc podium so far.
