Shanghai, China, Fourth MotoGP round
Preview, Monday April 28th 2008
ALICE TEAM READY FOR THE FIRST PRAMAC GRAND PRIX
OF THE MOTOGP HISTORY
After the step forward taken in the Estoril’s race,
where the Alice Team riders, Toni Elias and Sylvain Guintoli,
have respectively equalized and improved their best 2008 performances,
MotoGP travels to the a different continent for the Pramac
Grand Prix of China. The Chinese circuit, built in 2005, has
hosted the same year the first MotoGP race and the main characteristic
of this track is the longest (1202m) and fastest straight
of the MotoGP calendar, situated just before the finish line
straight.
Alice Team Principal Luis d’Antin, is ready for the
new Chinese challenge and trust in the technical package at
his disposal to improve the so far not too brilliant results:
“We are really happy that Alice and Pramac, both on
the fairings of our Ducati GP8 SAT, are also main sponsor
of various MotoGP Grand Prix. We are really honoured to have
two prestigious brands like them and also for this reason
we have to work hard to improve our results on track. At Estoril
it seemed things got in the right direction for us, in fact,
both Toni (Elias) and Sylvain (Guintoli) have lowered their
distance from the fastest riders maintaining a good race rhythm.
In addition, the first three round have never been so favourable
to Ducati and Bridgestone, on the contrary the Chinese circuit
should be much better for the technical package at our disposal.”
Last year the Chinese Gran Prix wasn’t so lucky for
Toni Elias, due to a fall right at the beginning of the race:
“Yes last year I wasn’t so lucky. At the first
corner I touched with Nicky (Hayden) and went out. It’s
a pity but I count on get back what I lost last year now.
I really like the track, it’s the right combination
of fast and slow turns. Then, there is the long straight where
I remember the Ducati we really fast last year. But the most
important part of the track for me is the last turn that takes
you to the finish line: if you enter well you can gain much
precious time and it could be really helpful in case of an
arrival with other riders. At Estoril we have already taken
some steps forward. Also the test went quite well for us and
the primary objective in China will be to reach the right
set up of the bike as soon as possible to allow us to be competitive
since Friday.”
Also the other Alice Team rider, Sylvain Guintoli, likes
the Chinese circuit, also characterized by the always uncertain
weather condition: “It’s true, in China it could
rain at any moment, and after having seen how I did in the
warm at Estoril with wet track, I can be positive if one day
we’ll meet a race with the track completely wet. But
we don’t have to think about this right now. I like
Shanghai circuit and I am sure that the power of our Ducati
Desmosedici GP8 SAT will help us a lot. Last year on the longest
straight, their speed was impressive. Also Bridgestone is
really strong here. At Estoril we have found some interesting
solutions and we believe to be able to continue improving
also in Shanghai. My technicians and the Team deserve a good
result and I will give my best to conquer it.”
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