PREVIEW: GRAND PRIX OF TURKEY
THE MAGIC OF ISTANBUL
 The
Istanbul Circuit, with its dramatic changes of elevation,
is a rollercoaster track and a veritable theatre for race
fans. It is also a circuit that holds special memories for
Team Honda Gresini rider Marco Melandri, winner of the Grand
Prix of Turkey for the past two seasons.
Expectations are high for a race that is being touted as
the first true challenge of the season in terms of race strategy
and tyre choice. Unlike Qatar and Jerez, the riders did not
complete any preseason testing at this circuit so tyre choice
for the weekend will be made 'on the drawing board', based
on the characteristics of the circuit and recent tests following
the Grand Prix of Spain.
After enjoying positive results in those tests at Jerez,
both Marco Melandri and Toni Elias are looking forward to
the third round of the season with confidence. The Italian
is determined to repeat his victories from the past two years
at the Turkish track and maintain his record as the only rider
in MotoGP to win there since it opened in 2005. After taking
fourth place at Jerez, Toni Elias is also aiming high and
looking for an even better result at a circuit where he holds
the lap record - set in the race last year.
MARCO MELANDRI: "The Jerez test was
really important for Sunday's race because we were able to
try out a couple of interesting solutions aimed at improving
the feeling on the front end, which has given me some problems
during the first two races. We've taken a step forward and
that allows me to look ahead with confidence to Istanbul,
a special circuit that holds wonderful memories for me. I
scored my first MotoGP victory there in 2005, the first time
we had visited the circuit. In 2006 I repeated the win after
a breathtaking battle with Casey Stoner. I like the track
a lot - it is balanced and technical, characterised by frequent
changes in direction and pace. I'm confident that the feeling
we found in the test, my determination to have fun and the
good memories I have of this circuit will give me the ammunition
I need".
TONI ELIAS: "I feel really motivated
ahead of the trip to Istanbul. That fourth place at Jerez
and the work we completed in the test after the race has given
me optimism because we took a big step forward with the set-up
and the feeling with the tyres has improved once again. Istanbul
is a circuit I like a lot because there are so many elevation
changes, hard braking areas, a mixture of fast and slow corners
and I have always been fast there. Last year I made a good
fight-back from twelfth to fifth place and even set a new
circuit record! Bridgestone should be bringing some new stuff
to Turkey so I hope this can help me improve more on the rear.
This will be the first race where we have to make our tyre
choice without any previous data because we've never ridden
here with the 800 and for us it will also be the first time
with Bridgestone".
Focus: The tyre challenge
Bridgestone certainly won't be unprepared for the next two
rounds, which represent one of the biggest challenges of the
season for the Japanese firm. Last year the Bridgestone tyres
struggled at Istanbul, despite the pole position set in the
damp by Chris Vermeulen, who eventually finished seventh -
one place behind the top Bridgestone rider Loris Capirossi.
"Turkey is a demanding circuit," comments Hiroshi
Yamada, Bridgestone's Motorcycle Sport Department Manager.
"With respect to last year we need to find more grip
and consistency so we will take a mixture of medium and hard
tyres for all the teams. We have opted for the new generation
compound that we tested at Jerez. Without any previous data
for these machines at this track, we have looked closely at
the technical demands of the circuit and the data from 2006,
adapting that to the 800cc specification. We will make our
final choice during the week before the race depending on
the latest weather forecast."
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