Capirossi: The only Italian to survive the stairs!

With the alleged punch-up between Valentino Rossi and Max Biaggi as they made their way up to the victory rostrum, Loris Capirossi was the only podium finisher to make it up the stairs without incident - after yet another strong race from the West Honda Pons rider.

Capirossi had led the race for 11 laps before dropping to third, while his team-mate Alex Barros was not so lucky and crashed out, without injury, on lap five.

Max Biaggi had his problems on the first lap and had to fight his way back from eighth place. He overtook second placed Capirossi with six laps remaining but could make no headway on race winner Rossi.

"I was happy to finish on the rostrum and I also moved into third place in the championship, nine points behind Max," said Capirossi. "There was nothing I could do but protect third place when first Max and them Valentino went past me. The bike ran well all weekend and the new parts Honda have supplied us have made a better machine. It is not as fast as Valentino's machine but I'm satisfied and looking forward to Assen. I hurt my hand there last year but still finished third."

A disappointed Alex Barros, winner in Mugello two weeks ago, described his crash: "I just lost the front end with no warning. It just tucked under me and I was down. It was strange because I had no warning before that at the same speed on the previous lap. It was a pity because everything was going fine until then. Now we go to Assen and I really like the track. I have happy memories of my win there last year."