Casey Stoner admits German Grand Prix last-lap disaster was 'win or bin' move
Casey Stoner says he fell on the final lap of the German Grand Prix while trying to line up a 'win or bin' passing move on works Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa
With the two factory Hondas proving peerless, moving away from the field as early on as the first lap, Stoner was guaranteed second as the pair began their final tour.
He says he was confident he had enough pace to pass Pedrosa however and therefore decided to attempt an overtake on the final lap - only for a small mistake to lead him to push too hard and ultimately to fall.
"I'm pretty disappointed. I had planned to go for my 'win or bin' effort in the last corner not that one," Stoner said.
"I was happy on the bike and felt we had a few tenths a lap over Dani and [I was] confident I could pull him back in.
"On the final lap I made a mistake going into the first turn and I had to push a little more than I wanted through some of the sections but I got on to Dani exactly where I wanted and planned to make my overtake in the last corner, if I didn't have an opportunity earlier in the lap.
"I felt confident but as soon as I tried to turn in a little more, the front went. I was already off the brakes and not in the hard braking area, as soon as I eased off the brakes I guess the weight came off the front and down I went."
After expressing his frustration that marshals, rather than damage, preventing him from rejoining, Stoner insisted his general pace helped temper the disappointment of crashing out to his championship hopes.
"I'm frustrated I wasn't allowed to get up and try and score some points, the bike was perfect, but the marshals pushed me away," he added.
"It's our first crash in a race, down to our own mistake, for the first time in a long time so I'm disappointed for sure, but we knew we had the pace. If we can continue this momentum for the rest of the season then we shouldn't be so worried for the championship."
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| Series | MotoGP |
| Author | Sam Tremayne |
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