PREVIEW / GRAN PREMIO DE ESPANA
LORENZO, BARBERA AND TEAM FORTUNA APRILIA IN HIGH
SPIRITS AHEAD OF CURTAIN RAISER IN JEREZ
Team Fortuna Aprilia, headed by Jorge Lorenzo and Héctor
Barberá, head into the opening round of the 250cc World
Championship at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit in high spirits
this weekend. In preparation for the Spanish Grand Prix the
two riders were in Milan (Italy) today for the ‘Race
Me’ party organised by Aprilia, as they made an official
presentation of their racing plans for 2006. Lorenzo and Barberá
will be the main focus of the factory’s attack on the
quarter-litre class, with Team Fortuna Aprilia benefiting
from full official support. After an impressive preseason
for both riders, the opening race of the series is the true
acid test for the team run by Dani Amatriaín. “Our
potential is very high but we have to show that on the track
at every race,” commented Amatriaín. “Our
philosophy is to combine talent with hard work and if we are
capable of achieving that then we can aspire to the very highest
peak.”
JORGE LORENZO #48
“I am very excited and I think we are ready to tackle
the first race of 2006 with confidence. The preseason in general
was satisfactory but it counts for little when the moment
of truth arrives. I’m looking forward to seeing my rivals
on the track, in the same weather conditions and at the same
time, to see exactly where we are and what our limits are.
I have every confidence in my own ability and the potential
of my team because it is always an advantage to lead a factory
project. It will be tough to be at the front but the responsibility
does not unnerve me. I would like to start the year with a
victory at Jerez in front of the Spanish fans and I have to
admit I don’t know how I would react or celebrate if
I did it. I’m sure it would be a fantastic moment so
now I want to stop dreaming and make it a reality.”
HECTOR BARBERÁ #80
“I feel very motivated and ready to start racing. Jerez
is always a special Grand Prix and I just hope that things
go well for me from the first session, so that we can work
calmly, and that the weather is on our side. I’m arriving
at the start of a season in better shape than ever before
because in the past I always seem to have had some problems
or not much testing behind me. Now I feel good, confident
and ready to give the best of myself from Friday onwards.
It is hard to stay calm when such an important season is only
hours away, although our performance during preseason gives
us a margin of tranquillity. My objective is to be amongst
the top three all season but I have to prove that on the track.
Racing at home in front of more than 100,000 fans is always
special and for me it is more of a motivation than an added
pressure. I’ve had some good results in Spain in the
past and I hope this continues in Jerez.”
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