The MotoGP World Championship returns from its intercontinental triple-header this weekend to contest the final round of the season on European soil. Alvaro Bautista and Michele Pirro head to Valencia looking to sign off from the 2012 season in the best possible fashion, the Spaniard looking to seal a final championship position of fifth after a challenging first campaign on board the Honda RC213V. Bautista has confirmed his potential as a consistent frontrunner in this category in the second half of the season and he would like nothing better than to cap it off with a good result in front of his home crowd. The target for Pirro is to finish the season as the third highest CRT bike in the championship, a result that would be just reward for the Italian and his team in a difficult first season for the new breed of MotoGP machines.
Alvaro Bautista
“The flyaways were positive for me, with a podium, moving up to fifth place in the championship and signing a new deal with Gresini Racing. It could have been ever better if it wasn't for a few problems in Malaysia and Australia but I think we can be satisfied that we did our best. We have picked up important points for the championship and the team have worked hard to give me a bike that I enjoy riding. Now we go to Valencia, which is always a special round because it is the last race of the season and it's at home. The objective is to make sure of fifth place in the championship and we will be working hard from Friday to solve the problems we have found with the bike at other circuits. I am really looking forward to getting back on the bike and hopefully having fun again and making the most of the support. Valencia is a very technical and slow circuit, you never a get a break because the bike is constantly leaned over and changing direction. There is a new track surface this year so we'll have to wait and see what the grip is like - the data we got from the test last year won't be of much use. I have been on the podium a few times in the past at Valencia but it's not one of my favourite circuits."
Michele Pirro
“We can look back positively on the last three races because I have consolidated my position as the third best CRT in the championship and the top rookie. Obviously if it wasn't for the rain in Malaysia and a problem with the fairing in Australia things could be even better but anyway I am satisfied. It goes without saying that I have great memories of Valencia thanks to my victory there in the Moto2 race last season. This year I would like to finish the season in style again and beat the Aprilia-ART bikes at last. That would be fantastic and the perfect way to repay everybody who has believed in our CRT project.”
Fausto Gresini
“It's the last race of the season and another year has passed us by. It hasn't been an easy year for our team without Marco but we have done our best, stuck together and carried our project proudly forward. Over the last few weeks we have seen Bautista's true potential, with a splendid podium at Motegi in Honda's home race and consolidating fifth place in the championship. It has also been good for us to see Pirro establish himself as the third best CRT, which validates a project we have all worked hard on and shown faith in. Both Alvaro and Michele would like to sign off in style at Valencia, which is a technically demanding track, and repeat their past successes at this circuit. ”
San Carlo Honda Gresini Press Release
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