Bartolini third behind favourites in Spanish GP.

Italian Andrea Bartolini was bitterly disappointed with his third placed position at the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, the 500cc race was dominated by Belgian Joel Smets with countryman Stefan Everts in second place.

Bartolini on the Honda CR450F machine, was lying in second place on the opening lap, but as he and Everts entered the long stretch of deep whoops Andrea lost his rhythm and fought to keep the machine upright.

Robert Wilkins_1

15 Apr 2002

Bartolini third behind favourites in Spanish GP.

"I lost three or four position there, I was confident that I could run top three or maybe stay with the leader Smets but I started to right tight and then struggled with arm pump for nearly twenty minutes," admitted the Italian.

By the end of the opening lap, Bartolini was back up to 5th but with the arm pump didn't have the confidence to attack. Smets had pulled a huge lead on Everts and from his pit signals Bartolini knew that if he could get by the Spaniard Garcia Vico he would have a chance at closing in on 2nd place.

"As the race developed and at half distance I found I could relax, I first passed Vico and then it took a further nine laps before I could pass Bervoets to move up to 3rd position," said Andrea.

Closing in on the reigning Champion, Everts - Bartolini had four laps left in the 30 minute plus two lap race to make up the ground if he wished to challenge for 2nd.

"I left it too late," he admitted after the race. "I should have woken up much earlier, I have the speed to beat Everts, the track was demanding but I know in my heart that I should have been second on the podium, I am frustrated but I will get my chance again in the near future I am sure of that."

500cc Race Results:

1. SMETS Joel /BEL /KTM /39:38.8/25
2. EVERTS Stefan /BEL /YAMAHA /39:49.7/22
3. BARTOLINI Andrea /ITA/HONDA /39:51.1/20
4. BERVOETS Marnicq /BEL /YAMAHA/40:03.1/18
5. GARCIA VICO Javier /SPA /KTM /40:33.1/16
6. MELOTTE C?dric /BEL /YAMAHA /40:42.0/15
7. LEOK Avo/EST /HONDA /40:50.2/14
8. BETHYS Thierry/FRA /HONDA /41:06.3/13
9. AALTONEN Miska/FIN/HUSABERG /41:07.6/12
10. DINI Fabrizio /ITA /YAMAHA /41:09.3/11
11. BELOMETTI Alessandro /ITA/VOR /41:13.6/10
12. ZANNI Alessandro/ITA/HONDA /41:16.8/9
13. JELEN Roman /SLO /HONDA file://8
14. BURNHAM Christian /GBR/HONDA file://7
15. NOBLE James/GBR/HONDA file://6

Points Standing following Round 2:

1. SMETS Joel /BEL /KTM /50
2. EVERTS Stefan /BEL /YAMAHA /42
3. BERVOETS Marnicq /BEL /YAMAHA/40
4. BARTOLINI Andrea /ITA/HONDA /38
5. GARCIA VICO Javier /SPA /KTM /32
6. LEOK Avo/EST /HONDA /27
7. BURNHAM Christian /GBR/HONDA /19
8. JELEN Roman /SLO /HONDA /18
9. AALTONEN Miska/FIN /HUSABERG /18
10. DINI Fabrizio /ITA /YAMAHA /16
11. KARLSSON Joakim /SWE/HUSABERG /15
12. MELOTTE C?dric /BEL /YAMAHA /15
13. RODRIGUES Joaquim /POR /VOR /14
14. NILSSON Mats /SWE /HUSABERG /14
15. NOBLE James/GBR/HONDA /13