TEAM SAN CARLO HONDA GRESINI READY TO START EUROPEAN ADVENTURE
After the groundbreaking Grand Prix of Qatar under the floodlights
of the Losail circuit, the MotoGP World Championship returns
this weekend (28th-30th March) for the second round of the
season, the Grand Prix of Spain at Jerez de la Frontera.
Team San Carlo Honda Gresini cannot wait to get back on track
in what is the first European event of the season; their objective
to reproduce in the race the potential shown in practice in
Qatar by both Alex De Angelis and Shinya Nakano.
A crash in his debut premier-class Grand Prix has done nothing
to damage the confidence of San Marino’s De Angelis.
The rookie has the potential to match the performances of
his fellow debutantes in Qatar and in Jerez he aims to show
just that.
The same applies to Nakano, who picks up the points quest
at a technical circuit where he has enjoyed success in the
past. The Japanese star has used the extra weekend off to
move to Romagna, close to the team’s base, where he
was able to visit for the first time.
#15 ALEX DE ANGELIS
“We’ll be able to work calmly during practice
at Jerez to try and prepare as well as possible for the race,
because during the IRTA test we were able to gather a lot
of data. We also start the weekend knowing how the bike and
tyres will perform, so I’m sure we’ll be able
to work well, as we did in Qatar. I like the track a lot –
a few of us rode here a few days ago on road bikes at the
presentation of a new Bridgestone tyre. It was a nice experience
and for the first time I was really able to appreciate how
our MotoGP bikes have evolved compared to street bikes, which
are still great. As far as my crash in the first Grand Prix
is concerned, it was obviously a bit disappointing but it
would have been much worse if we hadn’t shown that we
can go fast. In Qatar, during the test and the weekend of
the race, I was always just outside the top five and that’s
important. The crash is behind me now.”
#56 SHINYA NAKANO
“In a way you could say that my 2008 season starts
properly at the Grand Prix of Spain! Racing at night in Qatar
was enjoyable but it was a special Grand Prix, difficult to
really understand. The track conditions were very different
to normal and my feeling with the bike wasn’t 100%,
which was also partly to do with the crash in practice. Thirteenth
place wasn’t the result we were expecting but Jerez
will be another story: I like the circuit because it is so
technical and in the past I have performed well in qualifying
and in the races. I won’t deny it, my objective is to
finish in the top six. Since Qatar I’ve spent my first
days in Italy in an apartment the team have made available
to me – it’s close to the team, the Misano circuit
and the beach: in a word it’s perfect! I’ve also
visited the team’s racing department and I was really
impressed – I understand even more now that Gresini
Racing really is a big family.”
Fausto Gresini – Team Manager
“Without doubt the results in the opening Grand Prix
of 2008 did not reflect our true potential: Shinya didn’t
get much out of it and Alex, starting from the back, paid
for a little nervousness when he couldn’t get past some
slower riders in front of him. In any case it’s all
part of the game and I’m sure the experience will help
him improve. The IRTA test at Jerez in February went well
so hopefully we should get more out of this weekend. Alex
definitely has the talent to fight with the front guys and
I’m sure that we’ll soon see him as a protagonist
like the other MotoGP rookies. Last week Shinya moved to Italy,
close to the team: he’s really happy, he feels comfortable
and he’s really looking forward to the next race. In
general, though, I think we’ll see the real World Championship
get underway at the Grand Prix of Portugal, on the 13th April.
Estoril will be the first track where nobody has tested, so
we’ll really get to see what everybody has to offer.”
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