Alvaro Bautista heads to the next round of the MotoGP World Championship in Germany this weekend after a flying visit to the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit to promote the Argentinean Grand Prix, which will be added to the calendar in 2014. After a press conference in Buenos Aires and a two-day test at the track near Tucuman the Team GO&FUN Honda Gresini rider was back on a plane to Europe in readiness for the eighth round of the season at the Sachsenring circuit. After a disappointing weekend last time out at Assen, Alvaro is keen to get back on track at Sachsenring and continue his ongoing set-up work with Showa suspension and Nissin brakes as he looks to build a strong second half to the season. It is another new track for Australian rookie Bryan Staring, meanwhile, as the CRT rider continues to adapt to the demands of MotoGP.
Alvaro Bautista
“I didn't have confidence with the bike in the race at Assen and couldn't ride it as I wanted but it was important for me and the team to make it to the end of the race after two DNF's in the previous two rounds. We have to look at this as a building block for the second half of the season now. I'm a little tired after the trip to Argentina, where the authorities, press and fans gave us an incredible welcome. I could have never imagined motorcycle racing to be so popular in Argentina but the track at R io Hondo is spectacular, one of the nicest I have ever ridden. It has a lot of long, fast corners and plenty of run-off so you can ride hard and have fun. There are still a few minor things to sort out but I think there could be some great races there. For me it was a nice opportunity to try out a new track and enjoy myself without any pressure and it has given me a little boost ahead of the next round. I had a good race in Germany last year, coming from the back of the grid following my penalty after an incident at Assen. I made it back up to fifth place but made a mistake and ended up seventh after an otherwise great race. I am confident that by using the data from last year and with the determination we have to get a result after the disappointment of the last race we can do very well at this Grand Prix. Sachsenring is not an easy track and it is one of the slowest on the calendar, especially through the first section. There are a lot of left-handers with elevation changes th at make it difficult to find a set-up but we will try to find something that makes the bike handle well and accelerate hard. ”
Bryan Staring
“I go to Sachsenring feeling motivated because in the race at Assen I realised that I am capable of much better results than we have achieved so far. I feel we have made progress recently and I want to confirm this in Germany. I don't know the Sachsenring circuit but I hope it suits my riding style and I will certainly be giving my best to get to grips with it as quickly as possible. I am determined and looking forward to getting out there and trying to take that next step towards becoming a contender amongst the CRT bikes.”
Fausto Gresini
“Assen wasn't a great result but it was a boost for the team to put some points on the board after two 'zeroes'. We are all determined to do well in the second half of the season and Alvaro goes to Sachsenring in good spirits after his trip to Argentina. It was a great experience for him an d I don't think he will ever forget the enthusiasm that the media and the fans there have for next year's race. He also had fun at the Rio Hondo track and even though he is tired after such a long trip he has plenty of motivation to do well this weekend at a circuit where he put together such an unforgettable fightback last year. It is another new circuit for Bryan, who will be aiming to demonstrate just how much progress he has made in the first half of his debut season in MotoGP.”
Go & Fun Honda Gresini Press Release
