|
MotoGP's turning Japanese! |
|
|
|
|
Posted by Staff
|
|
Thursday, 20 September 2007 |
|
Page 4 of 4
Just four days after the MotoGP teams hurriedly packed up
their garages after the last round in Portugal, the World Championship returned
to another country and another continent for the A-Style Grand Prix of Japan.
The very different atmosphere of the two races was striking, but the work to be
undertaken was the same at this crucial moment in the season.
A number of
riders were arriving directly from Tokyo, where yesterday they took part in the
highly successful “MotoGP lands in Tokyo” event and were greeted by 3000 fans in
Shinjuku Station Square. Casey Stoner, Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden Colin
Edwards, Carlos Checa, Chris Vermeulen, Randy de Puniet and Anthony West – in
addition to home favourites Shinya Nakano and Makoto Tamada, had all made an
early trip to the Japanese city.
Of the ten riders at the event, three
were on double duty as they took part in today’s pre-event press conference.
MotoGP World Championship leader Stoner was joined by Rossi, last year’s race
winner Loris Capirossi, home rider Tamada and Honda’s Dani Pedrosa to field
questions from the media ahead of the Japanese challenge.
For Stoner,
even though the title is nearly within his grasp, this race will be no different
than every other. He commented on his minor troubles in Portugal, and looked
forward to what is hoped will be a thrilling race.
“We struggled in
Portugal a bit, I think I messed about a bit too much mid-race trying to keep
up. This race has always been good for Ducati though, even when perhaps the
season hasn’t been going so well,” said the Australian.
“Last year
I did ok here but the settings were a little wrong, but the weekend overall was
good. I hope that I can continue the good form this year. This track makes the
racing interesting, with lots of overtaking.”
Rossi, who has never
won on a four-stroke at Motegi, explained his history at the Japanese circuit,
and went through the important factors for Sunday’s race.
“It’s not
one of my favourite tracks; I’ve had a lot of second places here, always trying
to catch up with Loris but never managing!” said the five-time MotoGP World
Champion.
“Brake settings will be important here, but in Portugal we did
well with the brakes so I’m not so worried. We just have to check the new
Michelins, and see if they work on this surface.”
Practice sessions
for the A-Style Grand Prix of Japan begin tomorrow at 9am local time.
from InfoMotoGP
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 Next > End >>
|
