Pressure for Simoncelli to perform

IN what was another unfortunate race for Marco Simoncelli at Silverstone after crashing out of a potential podium position, team boss Fausto Gresini has said that his Italian rider must start scoring points.

Although courting controversy through a public spat with Jorge Lorenzo regarding his tough riding style and not helping silence the critics with crashing into Dani Pedrosa at Le Mans, Simoncelli has demonstrated flashes of speed so far this season: taking his first pole, leading the race at Jerez and racing amongst the sharp-end at every round.

Silverstone was the latest fall from a podium place, as the Italian slid out of third position. Instead of criticising his rider, Fausto Gresini offered some motivation for Simoncelli: "It is a real shame to have missed the podium once again. We have to stay calm and composed because the objective we set ourselves today is within our reach.

"We can't afford throw any more points away now and even though we all know we have a great rider in our team we need some results to give everybody a boost of morale and confidence.” In a plea for the Gresini rider to settle for places, rather than exceeding past his limit.

Downhearted from the latest crashing episode of his 2011 campaign, Simoncelli added: "I am completely distraught because it seems every week we line up ready for a top race and something happens to deny me.

"I had already had a moment in that corner so I tried to be more careful but the front closed and I found myself on the floor waving goodbye to the podium once again. I am gutted! I'll go home with my head down now but tomorrow I have to start looking forward to Assen with the hope that this bad run is over.”