Simonelli aims for podium finish

MotoGP bad boy Marco Simoncelli hopes to put his recent problems behind him and finish in the top three at Silverstone on Sunday.

The Italian has courted controversy with his aggressive riding style, culminating in the crash with Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa in France which will see the Spaniard miss Sunday's race at the Northamptonshire circuit with a broken collarbone.
Simoncelli was involved in a public spat with world champion Jorge Lorenzo before the Portuguese GP at Estoril and then collided with Pedrosa at Le Mans.
That led to Simoncelli being penalised with a ride-through penalty during that race and also to three riders, including Lorenzo, complaining to race officials.
Simoncelli was warned over his future conduct before the last race at Catalunya in Spain but responded by claiming pole position.
However, his troubles were not over as he had a terrible start before finishing a disappointing sixth when a podium finish - and maybe even his first race win in the premier class - was on the cards.
Ahead of Sunday's race at Silverstone the San Carlo Gresini Honda rider said: "Obviously after starting from pole position I was a little disappointed to finish sixth in Barcelona but overall it was a good weekend for us because of the pace and character we showed.
"The race could have gone better but we have the chance to put that right this weekend at Silverstone. I really enjoyed the track last year, when I took my first big step forward in terms of being competitive in this class.
"Now we go there with a top result as the only goal. I am ready and I can't wait to step out onto a MotoGP podium for the first time. Hopefully it will be onto the top step."
Lorenzo heads the championship chase, the factory Yamaha rider on 96 points which puts him just five ahead of Casey Stoner after the Repsol Honda rider took his third win of the season in Spain.
British rider Cal Crutchlow lies in 10th in the standings after the Monster Tech 3 Yamaha rider finished seventh at Catalunya.