After a difficult race at Le Mans that took place in variable weather Team GO&FUN Honda Gresini this week heads to its home Grand Prix at Mugello. It's always an important round for Fausto Gresini's team, which has its headquarters close to the circuit, but for Alvaro Bautista it also represents a big opportunity to score a top result on the back of a positive performance in France. Recent technical progress and constant set-up improvements have given Alvaro more confidence with the bike and thanks to the tireless work from Showa's suspension staff there is plenty of optimism within the team going into an important run of races before the summer break. Bryan Staring continues to work hard to develop the team's CRT bike whilst also getting used to the unique demands of MotoGP and a host of new circuits. It is no easy task for the rookie Australian but his work ethic is relentless and he is determi ned to produce a result for the team in their home GP.
Alvaro Bautista
“We had a really good feeling for the bike at Le Mans even though the conditions were particularly difficult in the race. We found a good wet setting and in general the team did a very good job, especially considering the fact that we were working off data from a less than perfect weekend last year there. This year we found a good feeling and were setting lap times in line with the guys who finished on the podium and even though I am still having some problems getting the bike out of the corners we are making good progress with the bike in general. I have stepped up my physical training programme this week and enjoyed a really good weekend for my riders in the Spanish Championship - Maria Herrera, Dani Saiz and Juanjo Nunez - with Maria scoring her first win. Mugello is a completely different circuit to Le Mans. It is technical, fast, with various changes in direction and elevation. It will be important to stay focused and do a good job from the first minute to the last to make sure that we bury the memory of a bad weekend last year. I am determined to get a good result and and I know this is a special Grand Prix for the team because it is their home race.”
Bryan Staring
“There should be a fantastic atmosphere at Mugello because this is the home race for Team Go&FUN Honda Gresini. I want to put the result from Le Mans behind me as quickly as possible and in order to do that I need to work hard from the first session to learn the layout and make progress with the bike set-up. It is another new circuit for me but on paper the layout looks exciting. I really want to have a good race here and close down the gap to the points-scoring positions.”
Fausto Gresini
“After a positive race for Alvaro at Le Mans we go to the home race for Team GO&FUN Honda Gresini, where it will be important for us to confirm our recent form with another determined and hard-working weekend. The feeling with the Showa suspension is improving from race to race and this excellent technical relationship we have with them is improving the bike and giving Alvaro more and more confidence. Our home Grand Prix is always a special occasion for the team and it will be important for our riders to perform in front of an Italian crowd. Alvaro is Spanish of course but he loves the Italian fans and I am sure he will do everything he can to give them something to shout about. Bryan is also looking forward to the race and the motivation is there for him to put Le Mans behind him. He is making progress and the weekend in France will serve as a learning experience that will ultimately help him to improve.”
Go&Fun Honda Gresini Press Release
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