PODIUM FINISH IS THE TARGET AT Valencia
Preview GP Valencia
After Marco Melandri's stunning podium at the Malaysian Grand
Prix and a return to form for sixth-placed Toni Elias, who
put together an incredible fight-back despite the torrid conditions
at Sepang, the Team Honda Gresini riders head to the final
round at Valencia this weekend looking for a positive end
to their eight-month adventure.
After seventeen races mixed with satisfaction and disappointment
the riders know they have always given their best - from Elias's
second place in the third round of the season in Turkey to
Melandri's identical result in the last race in Malaysia.
As usual, the Grand Prix of Valencia is the point where one
season ends and another starts, with the teams already preparing
to open their 2008 testing programme just days after the race.
Team Honda Gresini have decided to turn a new page in their
history after three years with Marco Melandri and two with
Toni Elias - each of them filled with excitement and great
satisfaction. Next season will see the arrival of youth in
the shape of MotoGP rookie Alex de Angelis, 23, and experience
in Shinya Nakano, entering his second season with Honda.
The objective for Melandri and Elias this weekend is a return
to the podium and another good result to end the season. Marco
has the additional target of defending fourth place in the
championship whilst Toni merely wants to put on a top performance
in front of his home crowd.
MARCO MELANDRI: "I'd like to finish
off the season with another good result. I've got some great
memories of this circuit, especially my victory there in 2005.
Second place in Malaysia at a circuit where I've never scored
good results in the past and where it looked as though the
characteristics of the track would not suit my bike or riding
style have given me an extra boost. The package of bike and
tyres worked perfectly there and I'm confident. My aim is
to confirm fourth place in the championship and give Fausto
and the team one last reason to celebrate after three great
years together."
TONI ELIAS: "I can't wait to race in
front of my home fans for the third time this season. The
backing of the Spanish fans always gives me an extra push
and I usually need it at this circuit because it isn't amongst
my favourites, with its twisty layout and lack of fast sections.
I don't like the track but that's not a problem because I
am racing in Spain and the atmosphere will be incredible with
that level of support. Hopefully we can work well all weekend
and get in the right shape to put on another good show."
THE TRACK: Designed as a circuit within
a stadium, giving spectators a view of virtually the entire
track, Valencia always features an incredible atmosphere,
with record attendances year on year. Organisers are predicting
another big crowd to match the one that witnessed last season's
historic title-deciding climax.
THE TRACK
Constructed: 1999
Latest modification 1999
Length: 4,005 m
Width: 12m
Pole position: Right
Right corners: 5
Left corners: 9
Longest straight: 876
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