D'Antin welcomes Nakano to 'top riders club'.

Shinya Nakano gave the Spanish based D'Antin Yamaha outfit cause for celebration in one of their home GPs yesterday, when he rode a spirited race to finish fifth - after running with the race leaders for the full 25 lap distance.

The Japanese worked his way up from an eighth placed start and lost out to the fellow M1 of Carlos Checa by just 0.068secs at the flag.

D'Antin welcomes Nakano to 'top riders club'.

Shinya Nakano gave the Spanish based D'Antin Yamaha outfit cause for celebration in one of their home GPs yesterday, when he rode a spirited race to finish fifth - after running with the race leaders for the full 25 lap distance.

The Japanese worked his way up from an eighth placed start and lost out to the fellow M1 of Carlos Checa by just 0.068secs at the flag.

"I did a very good race, because I could stay with the front guys, and was much nearer than at Mugello," said Nakano who burnt his right foot during the race. "At the end I passed Checa, but he overtook me again and I couldn't get fourth. I want to thank the fans for their support during the weekend - I felt as if I was at home."

Spanish Team Boss Luis D'Antin was proud of his sole rider, feeling that the former Gauloises rider has finally proven he's a consistent front runner.

"I'm very happy and I think Shinya rode a very good race," declared D'Antin. "I want to welcome him to the 'MotoGP top riders club'."

Technical Director Naoya Kaneko was more reserved, but still found reason to smile.

"Our target was the podium, but after all the result was okay. The main thing is that Shinya has been the whole race in the front group. We know how to improve and race bay race we are closest to the front," he said.

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