The MotoGP returns to Brno following the summer break Many fans will still be enjoying their Summer holidays when on Sunday, August 17 the Brno race circuit plays host to the Grand Prix of the Czech Republic: the twelfth round of the MotoGP World Championship. Andrea Dovizioso, after yet another good performance in Laguna Seca, intends to continue the excellent run of form that now sees him in fifth position overall in the standings, just 11 points from Jorge Lorenzo. Over the past two seasons at the Czech circuit, the Italian and the Majorcan have been on the top of the podium. With fourth place in the standings up for grabs, you can expect the JiR Team Scot rider to put in 100% to try and elevate himself in the standings. Back from the extra break thanks to the 250cc class not attending the US event, Yuki Takahashi is ready to go all-out for more important points in the 250cc World Championship. Gianluca Montiron – Director JiR Team Scot “We now enter the last part of the 2008 championship and visit a circuit which is very technical and which has many similarities to Mugello, so this is a circuit in which the talents of our rider can make a difference. Our goal remains the taking of a podium position in any race, which would help us consolidate our position in the overall classification especially as fourth in the championship is just 11 pointed in front of us. It will be important from here on in to finish races and get as many points as possible, as everyone is so close together on points. In 250s, we know that our rider has to now try and recover some more points and therefore positions in the final standings. That is our aim.” Cirano Mularoni – Team Manager JiR Team Scot “Brno is a circuit appreciated by riders, because it has so much variety and is technically very good. From the start, after a short straight, there’s a descent followed by a rise, meaning there’s a lot of elevation changes. Andrea has taken two second places in the last two years and considering his recent form he could make another good race here. Yuki enjoys the Brno circuit after testing here and being competitive in the races, but for various reasons he has not obtained the results he deserved. Let’s hope these results could be achieved here this year.” Andrea Dovizioso Rider, JiR Team Scot MotoGP HONDA RC212V “This year on the Brno circuit we will have another unknown factor as the Tarmac on the circuit has been re-laid so we will have to see how it affects the degradation of our tyres. It is a technical circuit with a wide variety of curves and turns: the circuit is challenging to go fast on but is enjoyable. Over the past two years, with the 250cc machine, I’ve got two second places but with the MotoGP bike it is difficult to make a prediction. I enjoy the track but it is not one of my favourites.” Yuki Takahashi Rider, JiR Team Scot 250GP HONDA RS250RW “At the Brno circuit we have done well in testing, but we’ve not got the race results we’ve wanted. This year I want a good race to earn points to put my back up in the championship standings. I enjoy the track, as it’s a technical one, with many turns, which go both uphill and downhill. Overtaking isn’t a problem as it’s a wide circuit. We may find that the new track surface may affect the level of grip, but we are determined to put in a good performance.” Brno circuit Circuit length: 5403 m (3.357 miles) Main straight: 636 m (0.395 miles) Width: 15 m Pole Position: Left Right-hand corners: 8 Left-hand corners: 6 MotoGP Lap Record: 1’58″301 C.Stoner 2007 (Ducati) Pole Position: 1’56″191 V.Rossi 2006 (Yamaha) Czech Republic Grand Prix 2007 – Results: 1st Casey Stoner (Ducati) 2nd John Hopkins (Suzuki) 3rd Nicky Hayden (Honda) 250GP Lap Record: 2’02″299 J.Lorenzo 2007 (Aprilia) Pole Position: 2’01″368 J.Lorenzo 2007 (Aprilia) Czech Republic Grand Prix 2007 – Results: 1st Jorge Lorenzo (Aprilia) 2nd Andrea Dovizioso (Honda) 3rd Mika Kallio (KTM)