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EXCITING WEEKEND AHEAD AT MALAYSIA The MotoGP tour arrived in Malaysia today, although not for the first time this season for the majority of riders. The track has already played host to a number of tests over the preseason, adding to the familiarity of the popular Sepang Circuit, and the teams soon settled into their regular routines as the paddock filled up in preparation for the Marlboro Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix. Three of the riders in contention for the 2006 title were present in the traditional Thursday press conference, as championship leader Nicky Hayden and rivals Valentino Rossi and Loris Capirossi were joined by John Hopkins and Randy de Puniet to face the media. As well as giving their views on the battle for this season’s crown and the exciting race three weeks ago in Brno, the riders also commented on their first impressions of the 800cc bikes, which a number of them had tried out for the first time after the Grand Prix held in the Czech Republic. New MotoGP regulations mean that bikes will have a maximum engine capacity of 800cc from 2007. Malaysia offers some spectacular scenery for the visitor, and a group of riders got to experience first hand one of the country’s main attractions as they were taken to see the Petronas Towers, the tallest twin set of buildings in the world. MotoGP riders Makoto Tamada and Chris Vermeulen were joined by 250cc contender Andrea Dovizioso, runaway 125cc leader Alvaro Bautista and KTM rising star Michael Ranseder as they ascended the 88 floors of the tower, designed by Argentinean architect Cesar Peli. Sete Gibernau made his return to the paddock today after his enforced absence from the race in Brno. Now fully recovered and given the all-clear to take part in the Marlboro Motorcycle Grand Prix, the Spaniard will be back onboard the Ducati Desmosedici GP6 tomorrow morning for the first practice session at the Sepang Circuit.
''The result in Brno wasn´t what we needed, and now we are coming up to crunch time in the championship. I’m looking forward to it, and think that I have a legit chance of taking the title. There are many contenders, so I’m just focusing on myself and doing my best. The competition makes it really exciting this year,'' ''I’ve had three fourth places at this track, I like it but want to take a step up. Tyres are most important here, and if it rains I won’t mind so much. I feel a lot better now about wet weather riding.'' Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) ''It isn’t easy, but I’m quite confident after Brno. It was a good weekend, especially as we were able to stay in the top three during the practices.'' ''Pole positions will be important now. You can have a performance like in Sachsenring, starting from further back and coming through to win, maybe once in a season. It’s a one-time performace, not something that you can do all the time. My target is a repeat of Brno. This track is true MotoGP track, and good for my riding style.'' Loris Capirossi (Ducati) ''Every year is different. A good performance here last year doesn’t mean anything. We have some good plans for tomorrow. 50 points isn’t impossible….but I think it is impossible! I will try my hardest to make up the advantage anyway.'' ''I tried out the 800cc bike, and I liked it. It seems a good bike, and the lap times weren’t too bad. It’s closer to a 250cc, it’s smaller but not really lighter.'' John Hopkins (Suzuki) ''We are consistent, but not exactly where we are position wise. I would like to get up to seventh in the championship. We are stepping up with some new parts, although it’s strange to have people working on the 800cc bike as well. Most of the parts will simply be transferred next year to the new Suzuki model.'' ''I am looking forward to racing here. I’m going to get my head down, work hard and hopefully I can have a good race.'' Randy de Puniet (Kawasaki) ''The first part of the season was really bad, but since Sachsenring it has been ok. In Brno I had a little bit of a problem, which lost me some time, but here should be good for me. I tested well here during the winter, and I think I can have my best result this season since Jerez.''
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