Monterey, 21 July: LCR Honda’s Stefan Bradl celebrates his first premier class podium today at Laguna Seca race track after yesterday’s massive pole position. The 2011 Moto2 World Champion led the 32-lap race for 19 laps and when his rival Marquez overtook him, the German aboard the RC213V comfortably managed a two-second gap back to Rossi to clinch his maiden premier class podium, improving on his previous best of fourth – achieved on three occasions.

Stefan: “It’s a great result for us. We did a good job all across the weekend. Of course expectations were high after I had pole yesterday, but I knew I had good speed and that I could be fast from the beginning. I tried to push from the start and I think I did that very well. I struggled a little bit. I thought the race speed would be a little quicker but, with the full tank of fuel, I had a few problems with the front. When Marc caught me I saw that he had some more edge grip on the tyre and that he was able to open up a gap. I just tried to manage the gap to Valentino (Rossi), which was not easy, and it was a long and tough race. Sure I want to thank Lucio, the whole Team and all the fans and I am happy to have my dad here with me to celebrate this important result together!”