After a bittersweet weekend in the Netherlands Team San Carlo Honda Gresini head directly to their next appointment across the border in neighbouring Germany. Alvaro Bautista travels to the Sachsenring circuit still feeling aggrieved at the decision of Race Direction to penalise him for his mistake in the first corner of the Dutch TT by making him start from the back of the grid in this Sunday's race. However, the Spaniard is determined to put his frustration to good use and secure a positive result before heading to the team's home race at Mugello the following weekend. Michele Pirro left Assen on a high after scoring his best result on the team's CRT bike. The Italian was as near as he has been to finishing as the top CRT rider in the race but it seems only a matter of time until he achieves it and the goal is to take another step closer this weekend.
Alvaro Bautista “I was really unhappy with the crash in the first turn at Assen because we had done a great job in practice and I think we had the setting to have a great race. I made a mistake in calculating my braking marker and I braked so hard trying not to hit anybody that I lost the front and ended up taking another rider with me anyway. It is the first time this has happened to me and I was sorry that another rider was also involved and unable to finish the race, losing important championship points. Luckily there were no serious consequences in terms of injuries and I am certain of one thing: it won't happen again. I am sorry for the team, who always give 100% and more and they deserved better but unfortunately this is all part of life. At Sachsenring we'll be starting from the back of the grid and as I have already said I think it is an excessive penalty for a racing incident and whilst I accept it I do so reluctantly. Our objective has to be to continue working in the same way as up to now and try to pick up as many points as we can in the race. Sachsenring is a short and difficult circuit with no major straights. There are a lot of left-handers and that gets demanding over race distance. The atmosphere is fantastic because it is like a motorcycling festival with so many fans packing the grandstands.”
Michele Pirro “Overall I am very satisfied with how things are going for us. We took another step forward in the race at Assen even though I was a little disappointed because at one stage I really thought I had a chance of finishing as the top CRT. It's a shame but I am sure it is only a matter of time. As usual the guys are working really hard and we are making progress from race to race. We'll see how our bike works at Sachsenring, which is a unique circuit, and if we can continue with our recent improvements. I like the track and qualified fourth there last year in Moto2. It's not an easy track and you don't get a moment's rest because it is so short but we'll try and get around it as best we can and get a good result going to Mugello”
Fausto Gresini “Practice for Alvaro at Sachsenring will be more relaxed. We have accepted the penalty and we will start from the back of the grid but we'll try and get the best possible result before heading to our home race at Mugello. Michele's result at Assen shows that the project is in good health and making the right progress. We are very close to being rewarded and we'll continue working to that end. Sachsenring possibly doesn't suit us that much but we will try to adapt the bike to the demands of the track. It won't be an easy weekend but we will do our best to make it a positive one.”
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