The ninth round of the MotoGP World Championship headed over the Atlantic to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in California this weekend but for the Penrith-based PBM MotoGP Team, it wasn't a successful trip to the Red Bull US Grand Prix although Yonny Hernandez did manage to salvage a point.

After a disappointing weekend at Sachsenring in Germany the previous weekend, hopes were high of an improved performance for Colombian Hernandez and Ulsterman Michael Laverty who were hoping to add to both their own World Championship points scores and to improve their CRT and Manufacturer placings.

Hernandez, from Medellin, on the Rapid Solicitors and Minxflix.com-sponsored Aprilia ART started well with 14th place in FP1 but Laverty, from Toome in County Antrim, on the Rapid Solicitors and Minxflix.com-sponsored PBM machine struggled around the short and twisty circuit and could only manage to squeeze into the top twenty in all sessions.

In the race, Hernandez and Laverty got away well but on lap two, the former British Supersport champion crashed out leaving Hernandez to battle on which he did to claim a point in 15th place.

Hernandez still occupies 19th overall in the MotoGP World Championship standings with Laverty dropping to 23rd in his debut season. In the Claiming Rules Teams (CRT) class, Hernandez still holds sixth with Laverty in ninth whereas PBM occupy eighth in the Constructors Championship and 12th in the Teams Championship in their debut season with their brand new British-built machine.

Michael Laverty:  "It's a long way to come to Laguna Seca for only one racing lap. We had improved our set up with every session throughout the weekend and I felt my best on track during morning warm up. I got a really good start and had a good battle with Hector Barbera on the opening lap. As I entered turn two on the second lap the front just simply washed out, it definitely caught me off guard as I wasn't struggling to stop, everything felt quite settled on entry but down I went nonetheless. We have the summer break now before Indy so it gives us a good chance to evaluate all the work done so far this season and make a plan to improve over the second half of the season."

Phil Borley, Technical Director:  "A disappointing race day with the point scored by Yonny the only positive. The higher temperature may have required a slightly different set up but it was the same for everyone so we should have been better prepared. After seeing Michael crash after struggling with front grip at the beginning of the race, Yonny rode cautiously to ensure a finish. After a good start and first lap, Michael's crash was unfortunate because he again missed the chance to score some points. The summer break will give us the chance to prepare for a stronger second half of the season."

Paul Bird, Team Owner:  "It was another disappointing weekend for the MotoGP team on the back of the one experienced in Germany so we really need to improve after the summer break. We had a good opportunity as a couple of leading CRT riders had problems and we missed out. The idea is to continue our good progress and after a good start to the season, things have not gone well so I'm going to Indy to see what needs to be done as we must get things turned round and back on course."

Round ten of the MotoGP World Championship takes place on Sunday 18th August at Indianapolis