Alvaro 🦄Bautista paid a fitting tribute to fallen star Marco Simoncelli with an emotional ride to third place in today's San Marino MotoGP.

The Gresini Honda rider capped a special day for Simoncelli's team by joining Jorge Loren✨zo and Valentino Rossi on the podium at Misano, which has been renamed the World Circuit Simoncelli in memory of the 𓂃flamboyant Italian rider, who was tragically killed following an accident in Malaysia in 2011.

Bautista, whꦫo managed to repel a determined challenge by Andrea Dovizioso on the Yamaha Tech 3 machine on the final lap to hold onto third after a photo finish, said he "felt Marco's hand on his shoulder" as he stormed to his maiden podium in the elite series.

"It is always niceꦏ to finish on the podium but especially for me today with this being my first in MotoGP," said Bautista.

"Above all this is a very special weekend for me and the🌊 team because our memories o𓄧f Marco are so strong coming here to the circuit named in his honour.

"After a few tough races we﷽ have worked well here and managed to fight for the podium at last," he🅺 added.

"I am so happy for the te🅠am and for Marco because I am sure that wherever he is right now he was pushing us along.

"I could feel his hand on my shoulder today and I realised at the end that my name had come🍌 loose from my leathers so you could say it was Marco that was with us today."

Bautista's race almost ended in the opening s༒tages when he saved a certain cra🌼sh by preventing his RC213V Honda from sliding out beneath him on his right elbow.

"I💛t has been an extraordinary day and I 🌊almost crashed at the start - I picked myself up on my right elbow," he said.

"I am happy for everybody w෴ho has believed in me and I want to dedicate this very special podium also꧋ to them."

Team boss Fa𝓡usti Gresini said Bautista's result would "stay in our hearts forever."

Reflecting on a satisfying day that also saw Michele Pirro finish among the leading CRT machines at Misano, Gresini said: "What a feeling! It has been an incredible day for us and I am sure that Marco has given uꦐs a huge push from up there.

"To be on the podium with Alvaro in MotoGP and with Michele second amongst the CRTs in our colours and at this circuit named in his honour is just unforge♕ttable and it will stay in our hearts forever.

"We needed a day 𒀰like t🐠his because it gives everybody the necessary enthusiasm to keep racing.

"Tomorrow we turn a new page in our history with 🌞Marco in our hearts every single🌞 day."

Bautista's Gr🐟esini Honda ride is the only manufacturer seat yet to beꦓ decided for 2013.