Simoncelli stronger as podium 'cloud' clears

Having finally taken his first MotoGP podium last time out at Brno, Marco Simoncelli travels across the Atlantic to the legendary Indianapolis circuit with his confidence sky-high.

A front-row starter at six races this year, Simoncelli finally put his race day incidents behind him with a safe ride to third in the Czech Republic.

It wasn't the kind of all-action display seen earlier in the year, and which got Simoncelli into trouble at Le Mans, but the #58 admitted he played it safe to secure the podium.

With a rostrum now under his belt, Simoncelli believes he can only get stronger.

"A weight was lifted off my shoulders at Brno with my first ever podium in MotoGP and my 30th podium in all categories. It was a huge source of satisfaction because we have been chasing it since the opening race of the season and didn't quite manage it for various reasons," said Simoncelli.

"That kind of cloud is no longer hanging over us and hopefully that will make everything easier in the second half of the season. I am feeling strong and determined and I travel to America in the right mood to continue this positive progress."

"It seemed like an impossible miracle because of the amount of times a podium had slipped through our fingers for one reason or another, so Marco and the team did a fantastic job to not lose faith and continue to believe in their potential," added San Carlo Honda Gresini team manager, Fausto Gresini.

"Now he has broken his duck everything should be easier for Marco, he can be more relaxed on the bike and his potential will rise even further."

Looking at Indianapolis specifically, Simoncelli believes his size could be a disadvantage this weekend.

"Indianapolis is a circuit I like overall although I do tend to struggle a little compared to the other smaller riders because of the first gear final corner that leads onto a really long straight," he said. "This is a problem for us but we will do our best to work it out and try to ensure it hinders us as little as possible."

Simoncelli is eighth in the world championship with seven rounds to go.