MOTOGP MAKES BID FOR EXCITEMENT ON OPEN DAY AT DONINGTON PARK
30 June 2006 - Moto GP

GAS British Grand Prix

Arriving at the track for the last of three gruelling World Championship races in as many weeks, the MotoGP teams and riders have been greeted by warm British weather at the Donington Park Circuit. Thousands of fans have already gathered at the scene of Sunday’s GAS British Grand Prix to soak up the unique atmosphere of one of the most important races of the season.

The fun started early yesterday, with Dani Pedrosa paying a pre-event visit to a Gordon Ramsey restaurant in London to sample some world-renowned British cuisine, whilst today fans were treated to Donington’s traditional Day Of Champions event where members of the public are allowed into the paddock for a small donation to Riders for Health.

Amongst the many activities taking place were a ride-in, the screening of a Riders Global Health film narrated by Brad Pitt and an auction, with the musical accompaniment of James Toseland’s band `Crash´. The traditional memorabilia auction was a particular success, with leathers, helmets and other MotoGP paraphernalia receiving high bids, with all proceeds going to Riders For Health.

After much speculation, Toni Elias’ stand in for the GAS British Grand Prix was announced today by Fortuna Honda. 21 year old Italian Michele Fabrizio, a former rider for WCM, will occupy Elias’ seat with the team until the Spaniard makes his return to competition.

In 250cc there was a welcome return back to the paddock for Aprilia rider Hector Barbera, who broke his wrist in a training accident before his home race in Catalunya and will try the bike for the first time here this weekend.

Today’s press conference was attended by Assen winner and World Championship leader Nicky Hayden, Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner, Kenny Roberts Jr and John Hopkins.
Nicky Hayden (Honda):

''I’m still hungry for wins, the guys are working really hard at the moment to get the most out of the bike and it seems to be paying off.
It’s a tricky circuit, I like the first part but it takes a lot of guts to do well here when you get your speed up. You have to be brave, and at the last few turns I’ve struggled a bit in the past.
It was cool to get the win, a great feeling there’s always self pressure but right now I’m having more fun and just trying to enjoy myself.
These races are huge, you’ve got to push hard whilst still looking after yourself, it’s really what you’ve been training for.''

Valentino Rossi (Yamaha):

''My ankle is very good now, there is a small fracture but nothing serious. My wrist is a bigger problem, there is a small fracture and a lot of pain when I move my fingers. I have been training a lot and receiving treatment to help recover, and I am confident for the weekend. It is my second home Grand Prix of the season, I like the track a lot and Yamaha have also done well here in the past.
The crash came at the worst part of the year for me, my first big crash after having seen a lot of similar incidents. I wasn’t sure whether to race or not.''

Casey Stoner (Honda):

''I’ve had lots of up-and-down results at this track, and this year is my first time here on a competitive bike. I just want to concentrate on the remaining races.
We’ve gelled as a team and I hope that we can earn better results this weekend.
Assen has always been like here for my results. I worked my way up the field last time out and know what I can do.''

Kenny Roberts Jr. (Team Roberts):

''Its just the start for us. Our pace has been good and we just need better grid positions. That’s what we are really focusing on right now.
Assen was a hard race for me, we pushed all the way but it magnified the situation that we have, not having time to overtake having been so far behind before.
Right now we’re bringing in the 3rd or 4th chassis, and every time they have been better. It’s a different feel on this latest one, but I hope that we can go 3 or 4 tenths faster with it.''

John Hopkins (Suzuki):

''The Bridgestone tyres are getting better, Shinya did a good job on them so I think that me fading was just down to tyre choice. Every race we’re improving so there are a lot of positives. It was good to get that first pole position out of the way, it’s a huge weight off my shoulders. Now we need to be fighting amongst the top five, and I think that we are capable of it. Me and Chris are working well together, we are different but that just makes Suzuki an all-round package. It’s gratifying, since I’ve been at Suzuki since nearly day one….day two I suppose.''

www.motogp.com

More News
  For June 2006
  From Moto GP
  For Moto GP
  Biker247.com Home Page