The Team GO&FUN Honda Gresini is back in action this weekend for the first of the two home races on the calendar, the Italian Grand Prix at the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello: nestled in the Tuscan hills, the circuit is less than 80 km from the Team’s base in Faenza.
After the fantastic podium finish clinched at Le Mans, Alvaro Bautista arrives in Italy driven by a strong motivation, aiming to reverse the trend in a race that saw him struggling in the recent years: in his MotoGP career the Spaniard MotoGP has in fact a tenth place as best result at Mugello, obtained in 2012.
His team-mate, Scott Redding, will try to confirm himself as the best rider aboard the Open Class Honda RCV1000R machine, an achievement he has already obtained in the opening round in Qatar and in the recent French Grand Prix. The British rookie, who won the Moto2 race last year at Mugello starting from pole position, collected 18 points so far, 5 less than his direct rival, Nicky Hayden.
Alvaro Bautista
“In Le Mans we had a great race, but we want to keep our feet firmly on the ground, so we look at Mugello with the same attitude as always, working step by step. The podium obtained in France, however, allows us to be more relaxed on a track with long, fast corners which might be difficult for us. Our bike has improved in several areas after the Jerez post-race test, especially regarding suspension and brakes: improvements which helped us on a track like Le Mans; if they will prove to be useful also in Mugello, we can say that we start from a really good base. It will be difficult to get on the podium, we have to be realistic, but we will try to stay as close as possible to the factory bikes, as always. This Grand Prix is also really important for all the team, so it would be nice to get a good result in front of so many people who will come to support us, for the sponsors and for all the guys of the team”.
Scott Redding
“I won the race last year at Mugello in Moto2 quite comfortably: I enjoy the track a lot and I’m sure that it’s going to be even more exciting with a MotoGP bike. I’ve tested there with a MotoGP in the past, so I already know a little bit the reference points. Mugello is a very phisical circuit, with many changes of direction, and also it’s going to be hot there, so I’m going to prepare myself for that, in order to be ready to fight again. Finally, the track needs to be smooth and flowing, so it could be a little bit more difficult for our bike, but we never know what can happen, so we will see how it goes”.
Go&Fun Honda Gresini Press Release
