Bartolini takes another podium finish.

Italian Andrea Bartolini climbed to the podium in 3rd position at Sunday's Grand Prix of Europe at Teutschenthal in Germany Round 3 of the 12 round series. The Vismara Honda supported rider was battling for the lead with Stefan Everts (Yamaha) during the final seven laps after early race leader Frenchman Yves Demaria (KTM) gave up the chase on lap 13. The race was won by Belgian Everts, who recorded his 51st Grand Prix victory to go into the record books overtaking Joel Robert's previous record of 50 wins.

Bartolini moved up from 5th position on lap one, hitting the first turn in the top three but lost a few places in the carnage of the opening lap. He moved to pass Spaniard Garcia Vico before attacking Joel Smets, Bartolini had the bit between his teeth and was pushing forward at each and every turn. He said. "I am 33 years old, I still feel that this is a great achievement for me to still be able to compete with great athletes like Everts and Smets. Smets had a big crash on Saturday when his throttle stuck wide open, I knew that he was still hurting an not likely to be up there with the front runners."

As Everts took over the lead on lap 14, Bartolini on the Honda 450F four stroke machine piled on the pressure and looked like passing Everts several times but failed. Bartolini said later. "I was confident that I could win, I struggled with arm pump in the first few laps but then I knew I had the speed when I caught up to Evert's rear wheel. I hesitated, that was a big mistake for me. I knew he was out for the win too, I started thinking about just how strong and fast he was on certain parts of the track and in that time he pulled away and I couldn't catch him." Commented Andrea.

As the two lap board came out Bervoets was just ahead after passing Andrea relegating him to 3rd place. "Bervoets was riding very strong in the last few laps, the track was very bumpy and he found a way through, he was right on Everts as the flag fell. I am pleased to take 3rd position, if I can continue each week with consistent results I might be in with a go at the title. I am fourth in the championship only 9 points behind Everts and the next race is at a track which I like very much I hope that I can pull off a win in France, the ground is normally hard just as I like it, it should be a good race."