Jerez, Spain, Second MotoGP Round
Preview
 MOTOGP
BACK IN THE OLD CONTINENT FOR THE SPANISH GRAND PRIX
In Jerez de la Frontera, town with more than two hundred
thousand people, located in the southern part of Spain, the
first European Grand Prix of the season will take place after
the first exciting race of the year ridden at night in Qatar,
where the Alice Team riders Toni Elias and Sylvain Guintoli
have conquered their first world championship points of the
2008 season. The circuit is a firm point in the MotoGP calendar,
in fact, after the track was built more than twenty years
ago, in 1986, a race has taken place every year in the autonomous
community of Andalusia.
For the rider on the Ducati Desmosedici GP8 Sat number 24,
who celebrates his 25th birthday today, it will be one of
the three appointments where he will count on the support
of his countrymen together with Barcelona and Valencia. Last
year on the same circuit, Toni Elias completed one of his
best Grand Prix of his MotoGP career, finishing in fourth
place only four seconds behind the winner, seven time World
Champion Valentino Rossi. Also the year before the Spanish
rider had finished in fourth position, and this is a good
indication for his fourth appearance in Jerez in the premier
class.
The other Alice Team rider, Sylvain Guintoli, will be in
Jerez de la Frontera in the premier class for the second time,
after his appearance in his rookie season in which he concluded
in fifteenth position. The premises are good, as the French
rider conquered ninth position during the last IRTA official
test ridden here last February.
Alice Team Principal, Luis d’Antin, can’t wait
to see his riders on track to try to improve the results obtained
in Qatar: “After almost three weeks we are very happy
to be back on track. From a supporter point of view, I would
love to have a Grand Prix every weekend. Our riders are well,
I saw them in good shape and I am sure they will do their
best to improve their respective results conquered in the
first race of the season in Qatar. We know we have a great
technical package at our disposal, thanks to Ducati and Bridgestone,
and we are trustful that our riders will find the right balance
of the bike to be able to fight for positions that count.”
Toni Elias is really happy to be able to ride in front of
his own crowd: “Today it’s my birthday and I am
happy to begin a weekend of racing in my own country. Racing
in Spain is always a pleasure. The closest racetrack to my
hometown is Barcelona, but Jerez remains my favourite. It
is a true event for motorcycle fanatics. Thanks to their enthusiasm,
they create a unique atmosphere. In Qatar things didn’t
go as I expected. We will try to use the three hours of free
practice to improve our performance in the best way possible.
In both of the last two Jerez races in which I have participated,
I have concluded in fourth position. It would be nice to maintain
the same level, even if I know competition has surely risen.
As usual, we will do our best.”
His Team-mate, Sylvain Guintoli, who is about to become a
father for the second time, is happy to be back in Jerez after
the good results registered in last February’s official
IRTA test: “I know I have obtained the ninth position
with particular track conditions. The asphalt was still wet
from the morning rain, but I have found a good compromise
for the bike and this is a track I like a lot. The objective
is to make progress in every race. I need to improve my feeling
with the bike to improve my race rhythm. We already have some
data and information from this circuit, but I think free practices
will be really important to understand better at what point
we really are.”
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