Go&Fun Honda Gresini Review Race MotoGP Valencia

Tweet

Alvaro Bautista saved his best start of the season for the final race at Valencia today, giving himself the opportunity to run with the front pack and even make a challenge for the podium positions. However, Alvaro was careful not to cause any problems for the two riders fighting for the championship and in the end as his tyre performance dropped off he rode an intelligent race to pick up another top five finish and end the championship on a positive note.

Alvaro Bautista (5th) 

“It hasn't been an easy weekend because we have had some problems with the set-up of the bike here. We have continued to work on making small changes to try and improve it for the race and after getting probably my best start of the year I was able to stick with the front guys for the first few laps. Lorenzo was slowing the pace down at the front and that gave me a chance to run with the guys at the front and I was in a position to make an attack but the last thing I wanted to do was get involved with the two guys who were fighting for the title. Once the soft tyre dropped off I lost a little ground but I am happy because we have finished the championship in sixth place overall as the second best non-factory bike. I want to thank everybody in the team, Showa, Nissin, Honda and GO & FUN. Tomorrow we start working on the future.”

Bryan Staring (19th) 

“I was hoping for my MotoGP experience to finish in more positive fashion than this but it wasn't possible today. I want to thank everybody that has helped me this year during this new adventure and to those who made it possible for me to get this opportunity.”

Go&Fun Honda Gresini Press Release

read more...

Go&Fun Honda Gresini MotoGP Valencia Review Day 2

Tweet

Alvaro Bautista missed out on a second row start at the final round of the MotoGP season at Valencia today, the Spaniard sliding from his Honda RC213V during qualifying practice this afternoon and dropping back to seventh place. After a solid first run Bautista ran into traffic on his second exit and was forced to slow down, meaning his tyres lost temperature and grip, causing him to crash. Bryan Staring made some improvements today but not enough to impact on his grid position and the Australian faces an uphill challenge tomorrow.

Alvaro Bautista

“Unfortunately qualifying wasn't as much fun today as it has been recently but to be honest we were already struggling this morning. We at least managed to make our tyre choice for the race and it looks like we'll go for the soft because it drops off less than the hard. This afternoon I improved my lap time on the first run but then on my second exit I ran into traffic, had to slow down and then on the next lap the tyre temperature had dropped and I lost the front. We start from seventh on the grid so hopefully we feel confident with the bike tomorrow so that we can make up some positions and finish the season with a good result.” 

Bryan Staring 

“The feeling with the bike and the track improved today but not enough to make up any positions. Anyway, hopefully we can make some more progress in the warm-up and finish the season off with a positive race.”

Go&Fun Honda Gresini Press Release

read more...

Go & Fun Honda Gresini Preview MotoGP Valencia

Tweet

As has been tradition since 2002 the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia plays host to the final round of the MotoGP World Championship this weekend. It is an important event for Team GO & FUN Honda Gresini as they look to sign off in style from a season that has seen major progress, particularly in recent weeks, with Alvaro Bautista now a consistent presence at the front of the pack. The Spanish rider was again on top form in the recent race at Motegi, despite the inclement weather conditions, showing the fruit of the hard work done by Showa, Nissin and Honda over the course of the campaign. The only thing missing now for Alvaro and the team is a podium finish but optimism is high that Valencia can be the scene of such celebrations in the 2013 grand finale.

Alvaro Bautista 

“Japan was a good race for us even though it was a difficult weekend because of the weather, which limited track time and made it hard to find a set-up. We didn't make a perfect start but made up positions well, so it was a shame that we were too far back to fight for the podium. Anyway, it was satisfying for us to finish as the top satellite bike with a factory rider behind us and in a way it is a shame that the season is finishing this weekend with us in such great form. Unfortunately we haven't managed to finish on the podium this season but I maintain that we have been more competitive than last year and we have one more opportunity to show it this weekend at Valencia. It is a decisive race for the outcome of the championship but I also want to be running at the front and there to take advantage of any situation that could favour us. Valencia is tight and twisty, not one of my favourite circuits because you don't get chance to make the most of the power of a MotoGP bike. We will need to work hard on the setting to make sure the bike handles well through the tight sections.”

Bryan Staring 

“Valencia will be an important weekend for me. It is the last race of the season and I want to sign off with my best performance. Unfortunately the season has not met our expectations in terms of results and that is disappointing for myself and for the team. However, overall it has been an incredible experience for me and I would like to end it in the best possible way.”

Go & Fun Honda Gresini Press Release

read more...

Go&Fun Honda Gresini Press Release MotoGP Phillip Island Race

Tweet

Alvaro Bautista managed to produce another challenge for the podium today but with the decision forced on him to run a hard tyre that did not suit the setting of his bike the Spaniard was unable to break into the top three at the end. Alvaro missed out by just two tenths following a thrilling battle with Valentino Rossi and Cal Crutchlow, although his race was further proof of his competitiveness in the second half of this season. Bryan Staring's home Grand Prix ended with disqualification for staying on track beyond the allotted ten laps before a compulsory pit stop to change tyres.

Alvaro Bautista

“We have managed to salvage a race that we knew was going to be difficult for us because of the enforced tyre choice. We knew it didn't work with our bike but we fought hard and thanks to the exceptional work of the team we have come away with a result we didn't expect. I gave my best, did everything I could on the bike and I have to be happy because I was fighting for a podium finish until the very end. Unfortunately on the last lap I just felt that I couldn't push the tyre any harder and it's a shame because I know that on the soft option we would have been able to get on the podium and achieve the objective we have set ourselves for before the end of the season.”

Bryan Staring

“Today couldn't have gone worse. I was hoping for a good race in front of my home crowd and instead it has ended prematurely with a black flag.”

read more...

Alvaro Bautista on Pace Despite Crash at Sepang Practice

Tweet

Alvaro Bautista enjoyed mixed fortunes in the two opening free practice sessions at Sepang but overall it was a positive first day for the Spanish rider at the Malaysian Grand Prix. After setting a strong pace in the morning Bautista was improving his set-up and performance in the afternoon until a crash midway through the session put a halt to his progress. His team-mate Bryan Staring endured a difficult first day and has plenty of work to do to improve tomorrow.

Alvaro Bautista (5th 2’ 01” 659) 

“We have worked well from this morning through to the afternoon to improve the grip, which initially wasn't allowing me to push as hard as I wanted. We have made constant progress and I am sure we could have dropped the lap time even more if I didn't crash midway through the session. Unfortunately we didn't have time to put the same setting into the second bike so the feeling wasn't the same, but anyway I am sure we can take another step tomorrow and be even more competitive.”

Bryan Staring (22nd 2’ 06” 538) 

"A day to forget. I have struggled a lot here and never managed to get a good feeling. We have problems and we need to sit down and analyse the data to see if we can what is causing them so that we can try to turn the situation around tomorrow.”

Fausto Gresini 

“We have made a good start here even though the crash set us back. I think the lap times today show that we are continuing to improve and I expect that trend to continue tomorrow so for the moment I am satisfied. Bryan is having problems at this track so he needs to have a close look at the data with the technicians and do whatever it takes to improve.”

Go&Fun Honda Gresini Press Release

read more...

Alvaro Bautista Wants to Confirm Progress at Sepang

Tweet

The fifteenth round of the MotoGP World Championship represents a bittersweet moment of inflection for Team GO & FUN Honda Gresini, two years on from the tragic and untimely death of Marco Simoncelli at Sepang. The Malaysian Grand Prix is an opportunity to remember Marco with happiness and also to pay tribute to him with a performance befitting of a great champion. Alvaro Bautista's recent form suggests that he can be a frontrunner this weekend, the Spaniard having fought to the line for a podium position in the last race at Aragon. Thanks to the tireless hard work being put in by Showa and Nissin, Bautista has been able to take huge strides in the second half of the season and he is determined to maintain this trend right up until the final race. Bryan Staring was not particularly pleased with how his weekend went at Aragon so this is a vital opportunity to turn things around before the series moves on to his home race, the Australian Grand Prix, in just a week's time.

Alvaro Bautista 

“Aragon confirmed the good form we have been in during the second half of the season and proved that Misano was nothing but a blip. At Alcañiz we got back to the level we had been showing in previous races and we took another step forward with the material we introduced in the test on the Monday after Misano. We fought all race for a spot on the podium and it was a real shame to lose touch with Valentino on the last lap because of the battle with Bradl. Anyway, we achieved our goal of being the first non-factory bike across the line and that is a source of great satisfaction to us. We are really improving and we want to confirm our progress again at Sepang by reducing the gap to the winner. It won't be easy because everybody is starting out with the data from preseason testing but I think we are at a relative advantage because our bike has improved a lot since then. I want to enjoy myself again like I have in the last few races. I have been working hard on my physical condition in readiness for the heat and humidity of this race and it is important to know when to use your energy and when to save it. The track is always fantastic and definitely amongst my favourites, with lots of different kinds of corners, hard braking zones, fast direction changes and some spectacular sliding. It is a wide track with some different lines and lots of opportunities to pass on the brakes. The weather tends to be changeable from the morning to the afternoon and the pace tends to drop as the day progresses because of the intense heat.”

Bryan Staring 

“Finally we are on the way home and I am looking forward to racing in Malaysia this weekend. I wasn't too happy with the result at Aragon but it is important we make up for it this weekend in Malaysia and give ourselves a good platform to work from in my home Grand Prix the following weekend. I like Sepang and I want to give it my best shot before heading on to Australia. My feeling with the bike has improved and there is no reason why we can't have a good race on Sunday. The heat will play a big part I am sure but I have done my best to prepare for it.”

Go&Fun Honda Gresini Press Release

You can give your opinion on our Facebook page here
Get the latest update on our Twitter page here

read more...

Alvaro Bautista Second Row at Aragon Grid

Tweet

Alvaro Bautista produced a determined performance in qualifying practice to secure a second row start for the Grand Prix of Aragon at Motorland tomorrow. After overnight rain left the track damp for free practice this morning the Spanish rider did not have the required track time to improve his set-up sufficiently but still starts from an ecouraging sixth position, giving himself the opportunity to fight near the front tomorrow. Bryan Staring is also looking forward to the race after a solid weekend so far on the CRT bike. 

Alvaro Bautista (6° 1’ 48” 302) “We didn't go out this morning because the track conditions after the rain were such that we couldn't get any useful feedback from either the wet or dry tyres so it meant we had to do all our work in the afternoon. Final free practice didn't go well so we went out in qualifying with the setting from yesterday and set a good time. The pace from the other guys was very fast though and we have had to settle for sixth place and a second row start tomorrow. I am still happy with the lap time and my feeling on the bike. It was important to qualify well here because the first turn is very tight and even though it won't be easy I think we can be fighting for fourth or fifth place.”

Bryan Staring (21st 1’ 52” 102) “I am pretty happy because in comparison to yesterday I have a better feeling with the bike and I am sure we can improve even more for the race. The goal is to make up as many positions as we can and close in on the points.”

Fausto Gresini “It is nice to be on the second row here in Spain. We had to work hard for it because the pace was so hot but Alvaro did a great job to lap just half a second off the pole time. It is particularly positive for us because this is a track where we have struggled in the past. Tomorrow won't be an easy race and tyre wear will be an issue for everybody but it should make for a hard battle and Alvaro has good potential.”

Go & Fun Honda Gresini Press Release

You can give your opinion on our Facebook page here
Get the latest update on our Twitter page here

read more...

New Parts for Alvaro Bautista at Aragon from Showa and Nissin

Tweet

After a home race for the team at Misano last time out, this weekend it is the turn of Alvaro Bautista as the MotoGP World Championship heads to Spain for the third time this season. It may be a long way from his home town of Talavera de la Reina but Alvaro will have plenty of local support at Motorland Aragon, where he is determined to make up for a disappointing result in Italy, when a positive run of form was ended by a bizarre setback that was out of his hands. Bryan Staring's race ended early at Misano due to a technical problem and he is hoping to recover ground this weekend as he looks to end his debut MotoGP season in positive fashion and build towards his home Grand Prix in just a few weeks time.

Alvaro Bautista 

“I am still feeling frustrated about the race at Misano because I didn't have the opportunity to compete as I would've liked. It would've been nice to give the team and sponsors a good result to celebrate but I felt powerless to ride faster and we still don't know what really happened because I couldn't ride comfortably. We didn't make any changes to the setting compared to practice but the feeling wasn't the same and I was unable to fight for a better result. We kept the same setting for the test on Monday and I was able to ride almost a second faster, which shows that on Sunday there was something strange happened. Anyway at Aragon we will use the new material from Showa and Nissin that we tested on Monday at Misano and which gave us some positive feedback. Last year we had a lot of problems at this circuit but this year we arrive with a more competitive bike so I am sure that we can be fast like we have been in the last races. Obviously we need to work hard from the first session on Friday. The track is unusual with some fast sections and some slow sections, it has a long straight and some long and demanding direction changes. It isn't easy to find the right compromise with the engine and the setting but one good thing about Aragon is that you can make overtakes at various points on the circuit.”

Bryan Staring 

“Misano should have ended up with a good result for me but instead it finished with a retirement. I am still pretty disappointed about that but I certainly haven't lost any of my determination to finish my first season in MotoGP in the best possible way. Aragon is an opportunity to make up for the result at Misano and I will certainly be giving it my best shot.”

Go&Fun Gresini Press Release

You can give your opinion on our Facebook page here
Get the latest update on our Twitter page here

read more...

Alvaro Bautista Unable to Convert Practice Pace into Top Grid Position

Tweet

After a strong showing during free practice at Misano, Alvaro Bautista was unfortunately unable to convert it to an ideal lap in qualifying and he will start tomorrow's race at Misano from the middle of the third row. It won't be an easy race for the Spaniard, starting from eighth place at a track that doesn't lend itself to overtaking, although Alvaro's race pace is good and his motivation is certainly not lacking. Bryan Staring continued to struggle slightly in the fast sections at Misano but he is also confident of an improved showing tomorrow.

Alvaro Bautista (8th 1’ 34” 230) “I can't say I'm happy because we showed in free practice that we have good potential here but we didn't manage to confirm it in qualifying. I am disappointed because we have done a good job so far this weekend and I expected better. I can take comfort from our race pace and hopefully with a good start tomorrow we can make ground up, even though it won't be easy at a track like Misano where it's not easy to overtake.”

Bryan Staring (23rd 1’ 37” 283) “I'm fairly satisfied. We are still struggling in the fast sections and I can't push the bike how I would like. I am still confident we can improve this situation for tomorrow and have a good race. We'll try our best because we all want the best possible result at the team's home race.”

Fausto Gresini “We have done a good job here over the course of free practice but unfortunately it didn't produce a result in qualifying. It is disappointing because I am sure we were capable of much more today. Anyway, the race is tomorrow even though starting from the third row at a track like Misano where it is not easy to overtake is not ideal. Hopefully Alvaro's confidence in the pace that he has can seem him make progress. Bryan has taken a small step forward today so hopefully he can have a good race tomorrow.”

Go&Fun Honda Gresini Press Release

You can give your opinion on our Facebook page here
Get the latest update on our Twitter page here

read more...

Alvaro Bautista: The goal is to close the gap even further to the top three

Tweet

Despite some early problems in practice at Silverstone last time out the weekend finished in style for Bautista, who battled to the line with Valentino Rossi and missed out on fourth place to the multiple World Champion by just 0.065 seconds. Bautista's recent efforts on board the RC213V are a credit to him but also the fruit of a lot of hard work from the team, Showa, Nissin and Honda. Alvaro's goal is to continue in the same vein at Misano, a circuit that he likes and where he scored his first ever MotoGP podium just one year ago. It is also an important weekend for Bryan Staring, who is looking to end a disappointing recent run of results at a circuit he knows well.

Alvaro Bautista 

“We had another fantastic weekend at Silverstone, working hard with the team on the setting of the bike, which wasn't ideal on Friday. We managed to put together an excellent race, not far off the back of the lead group and I really enjoyed myself in another great battle with Valentino, who finally beat me by a matter of a few centimetres. Our current run of form is very positive so we have to keep doing the right things and this will keep us moving forwards. Misano holds some good memories for me and it is also my team's home track. I have been on the podium there many times, including my first in MotoGP last season after a big battle with a bunch of riders but especially with Dovizioso. This year it won't be easy because the level in MotoGP has gone up another notch but we will try our best to continue our excellent moment. The goal is to close the gap even further to the top three and try to break them if we can. It is not a great track for overtaking and overall it is quite slow, despite a fast section at the end. It will be important for us to concentrate hard from the start on finding a set-up with good stability under braking and plenty of acceleration out of the corners. This is a more important aspect at Misano than top speed.”

Bryan Staring
“The Grand Prix of San Marino is an important event for me. I know the track well and with this being the team's home race I really want to give everything I can to make sure we celebrate with a good result. I want to put our recent disappointments behind us with a performance that sets us up for the final stage of the season. With the help of the team I think I can achieve the objectives we have set ourselves for the weekend ahead.”

Go&Fun Honda Gresini Press Release

read more...

Third Row for Bautista at Silverstone

Tweet

The qualifying result taken by Team GO & FUN Honda Gresini rider Alvaro Bautista this afternoon may have disappointed the rider, after the positive developments made this morning. He had been suffering from a chattering issue on Friday, but the problem appeared to have been rectified in practice today. He will take off from eighth on Sunday and look to gain places quickly. Bryan Staring is feeling good with his bike, but the circuit is still posing problems for him at Silverstone and he qualified 23rd.

Alvaro Bautista (8th 2’ 02” 252) “Today we worked to solve the grip problem that we have been having, and we found a partial solution this morning. In the afternoon we continued in the same way, trying out the hard rear tyre, but we couldn’t find any improvement. In qualifying we went back to the setting from the morning, but the bike didn’t replicate the performance that it had this morning, and that made things difficult again. I can’t say that I am happy but the race is tomorrow and, if we get a good start and find a good pace, I am still convinced that we can have a strong race.”

Bryan Staring (23rd 2’ 07” 300) “The bike was giving me confidence, but I was unable to interpret the track in the best possible way, losing a lot of time on certain sectors. It is clear that I am unhappy with how things have gone, but in any case tomorrow I will push hard to have a good race –even though it won’t be easy.”

Fausto Gresini “The weekend has been positive so far, even if we were unable to get a qualifying position that was in line with our expectations. It could have gone better, but when you look at the race pace Alvaro has enough to do well tomorrow. The top three were riding at a different pace to the rest, but if we can start well tomorrow we can have a decent race. Alvaro will need to be focused, and I believe that he can get up to the frontrunners like at the last race! Bryan is having a tough time at this track, but is confident on the bike.”

Go&Fun Honda Gresini Press Release

read more...

Bautista Wants to Repeat Last Year Memory at Silverstone

Tweet

Team GO & FUN Honda Gresini head to the third race in as many weekends at Silverstone in the UK this weekend with confidence high after another excellent performance from Alvaro Bautista at Brno. The Spanish rider missed out on fourth place by just 0.077 seconds after a race-long battle with Valentino Rossi, again enjoying an excellent feeling with the Honda RC213V that has allowed him to challenge at the front since the Laguna Seca race before the summer break. Hopes are high for another positive Grand Prix this weekend at a circuit where Bautista set a memorable pole position last season. Bryan Staring heads to another circuit he knows hoping it can help him raise his game after another difficult weekend in the Czech Republic.

Alvaro Bautista

“I am feeling very happy after such a positive weekend at Brno. We managed to do a good job and overcome the problems we found on Friday. On Saturday we took a big step forward and qualified on the front row in second place and then in Sunday I was able to pick my race pace up from practice. Overall it was a positive weekend and my feeling with the bike improved a lot, which gives me and the team confidence going to the next race. We have good memories of Silverstone from last season when I set my first ever pole position in MotoGP and had a good race. It is a track I like a lot and now we have to make the most f the good form we have hit since Laguna Seca. Silverstone is a long and fast track which I enjoy riding but we need to find a set-up quickly because you never know what the weather will be like. It can turn cold and rainy very quickly so we need to make the most of every session. ”

Bryan Staring 

“I went to Brno feeling confident because I already knew the track but it was a difficult weekend for us. We had chatter problems that made life very difficult although luckily we improved the situation for the race. Unfortunately the tyres dropped off at the end and I couldn't keep my pace up but now we head to another track I know at Silverstone and hopefully we don't have the same problems. I am determined to show my true potential, which has not been reflected in recent results.”

Go & Fun HOnda Gresini Press Release

read more...

Positive Result for Alvaro Bautista at Brno

Tweet

After strong showings at Laguna Seca and Indianapolis, Alvaro Bautista continued his great run of form at Brno. The Team GO & FUN Honda Gresini rider finished fifth in the Czech Republic Grand Prix, riding with a pace similar to those at the front for the entirety of the race. Only a speedy fightback by Valentino Rossi denied Bautista fourth place, which he missed out on by 77 thousandths of a second. Teammate Bryan Staring had a more difficult race, due to an unexpected drop in tyre performance, and eventually placed 20th.

Alvaro Bautista (5th) 

“Once again I had the chance to finish ahead of Rossi, but I ended up just 0.077 behind him at the line. However, I am happy because we had a good race and ran a fast pace that was better than in practice. I had a lot more confidence in the bike today. It was a nice battle with Rossi and maybe he just had a little more than I did at the end. We’re going in the right direction, continuing with what we started at Laguna Seca two races ago; this is very important. Last year we didn’t have a great feeling at Brno, but this year we went well which confirms that things are getting better. We hope to continue like this, because that way I can carry on enjoying myself alongside the Team, Honda, GO & FUN, Showa and Nissin.”

Bryan Staring (20th)

“We went a little better than in practice and we suffered a little less with the chattering problem, but the result was not what we were hoping to achieve this weekend. Unfortunately at the end the tyre performance dropped off and I was unable to ride as I had in the first part of the race. It is a shame, because after the problems in practice we were not able to get a good race result.”

Fausto Gresini 

“I would say that this was another good day and another good result for Alvaro. He had a great race, fighting hard with Rossi and keeping up his pace. Since the race at Laguna Seca he has been closer to the front, and we are continually improving. Now we just have to take that small step up to make a big difference. In any case, we are very happy with this weekend at Brno –where last year we had a lot of problems. We have continued this fine form and this is satisying. Thanks to Alvaro, Honda and GO & FUN, and also the team, Showa and Nissin for their great work.”

Fun& Go Honda Gresini Press Release

read more...

Brilliant Bautista Lines up Second at Brno

Tweet

Team GO & FUN Honda Gresini enjoyed another special day at a circuit full of great memories as Alvaro Bautista qualified on the front row of the grid with the second fastest time at Brno this afternoon. The Spanish rider has continued the good form he started at Laguna Seca before the summer break and after finishing fourth in California and sixth at Indianapolis in the last two races he is confident of another top result on board the Honda RC213V tomorrow. There were contrasting fortunes for Bryan Staring, however, the Australian unable to solve the chatter problems he suffered yesterday.

Alvaro Bautista (2nd 1’ 55” 754) “I am really happy with our performance today. Already this morning I could feel an improvement with the set-up of the bike and we had better grip on the rear. My pace was good on used rubber and then when we put the fresh tyres on in qualifying I was able to take advantage. It was good fun and now I am just hoping to get a good start and run at the front for as long as possible. I felt great on the bike today so hopefully we can have a similar feeling with it tomorrow and keep the pace up when the tyres drop off. I want to thank the team for the great job they have done, as well as Honda, Showa, Nissin and our main sponsor because they have had to wait a while for a moment like this.”

Bryan Staring (24th 2’ 00” 827) “Unfortunately we have only made a very slight improvement compared to yesterday. We are still struggling with the same issues and I am not able to ride the bike as I would like. It is disappointing because I felt I could do much better than this, especially coming to a circuit I already knew.”

Fausto Gresini “It has been a marvellous day and it is one we have been waiting for. I am happy for Alvaro, who did a great job in qualifying and secured a very important front row start. It is a result that confirms the job being done by the team, by Honda and our sponsors GO & FUN who are able to savour this kind of result for the first time with us. Tomorrow will be a long and tough race but it will be the same for everybody and I think we have a good pace with our package and I think Alvaro learnt a few things this afternoon that will help him tomorrow so I am confident.”

Go&Fun Honda Gresini Press Release

read more...

Alvaro Bautista Building Confidence for Qualifying Attack

Tweet

Alvaro Bautista's first day at Brno was not as positive as he had hoped but the Spanish rider remains confident that things will improve tomorrow when qualifying practice takes place for the Czech Republic Grand Prix. After trying some new parts on his bike the Spaniard ran out of time to run the soft tyre at the end of the second session this afternoon and lost some positions as a result but the important session will be the one that decides the grid positions for Sunday's race. Bryan Staring's hopes of getting on the pace at a circuit he knows were hindered by a chatter problem that he will aim to resolve tomorrow morning when the action resumes with the third free practice session.

Alvaro Bautista (8th 1’ 57” 401) “Today did not go as well as we expected because we had a lot of rear grip issues and I couldn't get confident with the tyre. We tried a few different things but couldn't find what we were looking for. Anyway, we have some clear ideas for tomorrow and I am confident we can improve and close the gap to the top. We will work hard tonight but we are not panicking.”

Bryan Staring (25th 2’ 01” 746) “I am disappointed because I thought my prior track knowledge here would help us move up a few positions but we had a lot of vibrations from the bike. We will look at the data tonight and I am sure that the guys will work hard to fix the problem, as the always do. I am still confident that I can show my true level at this circuit tomorrow.”

Fausto Gresini “Let's say the position today does not reflect our potential here. We have tried some new brakes and suspension solutions today and that set us back a little compared to the other riders because we didn't have time to try the soft tyre. I am a little disappointed for Alvaro because he wasn't happy but he has time to improve tomorrow. Bryan didn't have a good day and he needs to sit down with the team to work things out.”

Go&Fun Honda Gresini Press Release

read more...

Another String Top Six Finish for Bautista

Tweet

Team GO & FUN Honda Gresini rider Alvaro Bautista produced another strong ride at Indianapolis, backing up his fourth place last time out at Laguna Seca with another challenge for the same position. Unfortunately he wa s unable to finish the job on the final lap as he struggled for front grip and he lost out to Valentino Rossi and Cal Crutchlow in an exciting battle to the final corner, scoring an otherwise solid sixth place that confirms his recent progress and provides optimism for the future. Bryan Staring was unable to rediscover the feeling he had with his bike yesterday and struggled to 19th place.

Alvaro Bautista (6th) 

“I am really happy and I think we had a great race today. Obviously I would have preferred to finish fourth but sixth place and the way we got it is not a bad result. Unfortunately I had to push the front harder than I would have liked in the first part of the race and we paid the price at the end, when I was unable to defend my position from Crutchlow. It's a shame but I am happy anyway, we have a fantastic feeling with the bike right now and we are doing a good job so I want to say a special thanks to the team and the guys at Show, Nissin and of course at Honda. Now we can look to the future with even more confidence.”

Bryan Staring (19th) 

“I am not happy because unfortunately compared to yesterday we didn't have the same feeling with the bike. We tried every possible way to improve our confidence but didn't manage it and I am sorry to the team.”

Fausto Gresini 

“Alvaro has had a good weekend and he finished it off with a fantastic race. Obviously I would have preferred to see him cross the line in fourth place but it seems he was struggling with the front in the second half of the race so we have to be happy with the result that gives the whole team another nice lift. Their hard work is bearing fruit, we have a competitive bike and Alvaro is fighting at the front so I want to thank the team, Honda for giving us a great bike and also Alvaro. It is nice to see him having fun and I am sure we will have a lot more to shout about very soon.”

Fun & Go Honda Gresini Press Release

read more...

Alvaro Bausita Starts Set-Up Work at Indy

Tweet

After a month-long summer break Alvaro Bautista focused his efforts on rediscovering his feeling with his bike before working on adapting it to the unique demands of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in today's opening free pract ice sessions at the legendary American track. Track conditions were not ideal for the task this morning but they improved in the second session this afternoon and Alvaro was able to improve, despite lacking some grip on the rear in corner exit and on the front in corner entry. However, with the lap times looking tight amongst the top riders in the class the prospects look good for tomorrow's qualifying session. For Bryan Staring this is another new circuit for him to learn and he has made good progress over the course of the opening day.

Alvaro Bautista (7th 1’ 40” 087)

“ Today was our first day back on the bike after the summer break and it was important for us to get a feel for the track and for the bike after such a good weekend last time out at Laguna. The track wasn't perfect this morning but the conditions improved this afternoon and we were even able to test the hard rear tyre but I wasn't happy with it. We went back to working with the soft but the rear grip wasn't great and I couldn't get on the gas as I would like coming out of the corners. Anyway we are confident we can improve tomorrow and improve our feeling with the front, which is currently giving us some problems in corner entry.”

Bryan Staring (23th 1’ 43” 253)

“I am quite happy because we have established a good feel for the track and taken some positive steps over the course of the day. I thought I would struggle more than I have but we seem to be on the right lines and if we keep working in the same way tomorrow I think we can take a big chunk out of the lap time.”

Fausto Gresini

“Seventh place, half a second off the top, is a positive finish to a day that has involved a lot of hard work over the two sessions. The pace is good and I think the potential was there for a better lap time, which gives me confidence for tomorrow and Sunday. The top guys have set a fast pace but can get amongst them. Bryan has made good steps forward over the course of the day, he likes the track and I am sure he can improve a lot more tomorrow.”

Fun&Go Honda Gresini Press Release

read more...

Alvaro Bautista Wants Another Improvement at Indianapolis

Tweet

Results at Laguna provided a timely confidence boost for Team GO&FUN Honda Gresini rider Alvaro Bautista, whose strong podium challenge has raised motivation and determination in the team ahead of a packed schedule over the next three months. 

Team GO&FUN Honda Gresini's hard work alongside technical partners Showa and Nissin is finally starting to bear fruit and the high performance level of the Honda RC213V is giving Alvaro Bautista the opportunity to battle at the sharp end of the field. The Spaniard now faces another weekend of hard work as he looks to adapt his machine setting to the demands of Indianapolis and mount another serious challenge for the rostrum champagne. 

It is another new circuit for rookie Bryan Staring to try and learn after an encouraging weekend at Laguna Seca. It has not been an easy process of adaptation to MotoGP for the Australian but he continues to work with courage and determination, which will again be the key to progress at Indianapolis.

Alvaro Bautista 

“I feel sure that we are in our best form of the season so far after a good result at Laguna Seca. We were competitive there and in terms of my feeling with the bike over the course of the weekend it was probably the best I have ever had in MotoGP. Thanks to the hard work of the team we had a great bike that I was able to really enjoy riding and even though we had the chance to finish on the podium at the end I was still very happy with the result. After Laguna Seca we were able to get a few days off and I took the opportunity to head for the beach with some friends and switch my mind off r acing. After a few days I got back into training hard for the second half of the championship and spent a few days at my friend Colin Edwards' bootcamp and had great fun riding with him and working on my riding. Now I am ready and looking forward to three races in as many weekends. Indianapolis is a strange circuit and it's different to most of the places we go to because amongst other things it runs anticlockwise. There are three different kinds of track surface and that also makes it hard but we fought for the podium there last year and after such a good weekend at Laguna last time out I am hoping for better this year. Me and the team are feeling very confident that we can fight for a top result.”

Bryan Staring 

“I was quite happy after Laguna Seca, which went better than we expected. Overall it was a good weekend for us, especially after coming off the back of a disastrous German Grand Prix. Now I am convinced we can take another step forward at Indy. It looks like a strange track but I am curious to see it for myself and I am certainly highly motivated. The break was definitely a welcome one and it was a good chance to recharge the batteries. I spent a bit of time in the USA after Laguna Seca with my girlfriend Emma, which was great fun. Now I am ready to get back on track and have a good second half to the championshi p. I am determined to take another big step forward and I am sure that with the help of my team I can do it.”

Fun&Go Honda Gresini Press Release

read more...

Alvaro Bautista 0.059 Seconds from Podium

Tweet

Team GO&FUN Honda Gresini rider Alvaro Bautista launched himself back amongst the MotoGP elite today with a sensational performance at Laguna Seca that saw him miss out on a podium finish by just 0.059 s econds. The Spanish rider has enjoyed a solid weekend at the Californian circuit right from the first free practice session on Friday and it culminated with a breathtaking attack on Valentino Rossi for third place in the closing laps of today's race. Despite missing out on the podium this fourth place provides Alvaro and the team with a big confidence boost and a solid foundation to build from in the second half of the season. Bryan Staring saved his best for race day, missing out on the points by just two positions on his first visit to this notoriously difficult track, after struggling for fitness in the latter stages of the race.

Alvaro Bautista (4th) 

“I was so close to the podium! I would really liked to have been up there but we have to be happy with this result and especially for the way we achieved it. Obviously you can't get much closer than 0.059 seconds but the most important thing about today was that we showed we have taken a massive step forward and hopefully we can continue in the same way at the next race. This result gives us confidence after a less than positive period and it's a nice boost for the rest of the season. I am also happy for the team, who have been working so hard and really deserved to celebrate a result like this today.”

Bryan Staring (17th) 

“I am happy because today went better than recent races. I set a fast pace in the first half of the race and I was fighting for a podium position but after not being able to train recently because of my foot injury I started to really struggle from a physical perspective later in the race. We have taken steps forward here though and that will help us in the coming races.”

Go&Fun Honda Gresini Press Release

read more...

Alvaro Bautista on Front Row at Laguna Seca

Tweet

Team GO&FUN Honda Gresini rider Alvaro Bautista more than met his objective at Laguna Seca today, clocking the third fastest time to qualify on the front row of the grid for tomorrow's USGP. 

Alvaro had done his homework in free practice, setting a strong race pace on used tyres and finding plenty of confidence with his RC213V machine before stepping up the pace in the warmer conditions this afternoon. 

Qualifying has been an achilles heel for Bautista since the start of the season but now the Spaniard can look forward to making a strong challenge at the front from the start of tomorrow's race. Bryan Staring found confidence with his CRT bike today but is still getting used to the unique demands of the Laguna Seca layout.

Alvaro Bautista (3rd 1’21.373) 

“We did some more work this morning on our race pace and I felt really confident on the bike. This afternoon we finally got the front row position that we have missed out on in recent races. Qualifying has been our weak point but I was on the pace from the start today and everything felt good. It means we have the opportunity to make a good start tomorrow and not lose time trying to pass riders over the early laps. I am happy, confident and thankful to the team for all the work they are putting in. Hopefully we can have a lot of tun tomorrow.”

Bryan Staring (22nd 1’24.756) 

“I am quite happy with our performance although we're still lacking a little something if we want to run with the guys ahead of us. We have made some steps forward but we need to improve further in the race tomorrow. I feel confident with the bike but need to get more comfortable with the track. It's not an easy task because Laguna Seca is a difficult track to learn but we'll try our best.”

Go&Fun Honda Gresini Press Release

read more...