Tech 3 Yamaha riders
James Toseland and
Colin Edwards were arguably the most badly hit by Michelin's incorrect tyre allocation for the US Grand Prix, the pair slipping from fifth and seventh on the grid to ninth and 14th at the chequered flag.
"We knew that today was going to be difficult on race tyres, but the team has been great, we've all been working hard and I gave it my all out on track," said Toseland. "I got a really good start, which is what I needed and for a while the guys at the front dragged me along, but towards the end I was having problems with my rear tyre and I couldn't push any harder.
"It is difficult to swallow when things are out of your hands and you know you're capable of achieving more," he said, referring to the tyre problems. "It has been tough and we have had a few problems behind the scenes, but now is the time to get it together so that we come back much stronger after the summer break.
"I feel like I've been riding round rather than racing and that's not what I'm here to do," he warned.
For Edwards, riding in the first of two home events this year and using a special stars and stripes livery, it was the front tyre that proved most problematic.
"To be honest I was struggling from the start with the harder compound front tyre I had," said Colin, who pretended to strangle his Michelin technician during practice. "I'd have some moment on the brakes while I was trying pass someone and I'd lose a load of time and a bunch of places. I'd gradually work my way back through only for it to happen again and it was frustrating. I just didn't have any confidence in the front and everybody knows I am a front-end guy.
"It has been a difficult week with the crash in Germany too, so I'm looking forward to the summer break and being able to return stronger in Brno. I'm still fighting for fourth in the championship and Tech 3 is still fourth in the team standings, so we have got a lot to fight for in the last seven races," he added.
