The MotoGP World Championship, after six consecutive European events, leaves the ‘old continent’ to fly over the Atlantic Ocean to arrive on the west coast of the USA in California, at the Laguna Seca circuit. This is the only stage of the championship where the 125 and 250 classes do not appear, while this event becomes the first of two in the United States: Laguna Seca, plus the Grand Prix of Indianapolis. For Andrea Dovizioso this is a debut at these American circuits, as he has never travelled there on the 125 or 250cc machines. Despite this, the JiR Team Scot team and rider are confident that they can continue the sequence of the last four races that have taken him just eight points from the fifth position in the overall classification Gianluca Montiron Director JiR Team Scot “The United States Grand Prix is of particular importance for the market it represents. This is also supported by the fact that this year there will be two races in America, confirming the interest of both the factories and technical and sponsorship partners. This will be the first time at Laguna Seca for Andrea, and this will be an important moment to verify his ability to learn a particular circuit, and find the best ‘line’ for the first time. Looking at the championship standings, what we have is an opportunity to battle with our closest opponents: Colin Edwards, an expert at this track, who is eight points ahead, and Jorge Lorenzo, who will also make his debut on this track.” Cirano Mularoni Team Manager JiR Team Scot “This year there are two Grand Prix in the United States: Indianapolis that is new for everyone and Laguna Seca, which sees the debut of Andrea, but without him having ridden the track ever before. The track is technical, with changes in altitude, as well as the changing grip levels thanks to the wind and sand and dust, which is blown onto the track. I believe that we could return to Europe with a good result and I trust in the ability of Andrea to adapt quickly to a new circuit. He’s in good shape, both mentally and physically, and the number of positive results we’ve had recently give us grounds and the motivation to chase more.” Andrea Dovizioso Rider JiR Team Scot MotoGP – HONDA RC212V “The Laguna Seca circuit I’ve seen only once from the outside, which was last year while I was on vacation in San Francisco, so I’m anxious to discover exactly how it feels to ride it. It’s certainly a track which is technically very different from all of those in Europe, with many different corners and some points that are both challenging and evocative like the famous ‘Corkscrew’, a chicane that plunges down through the Monterey hills. I enjoy discovering new tracks and usually do not struggle to learn the layout and never normally encounter any major problems. In the championship I am just a few points from fifth place but ahead of me is Colin Edwards, who is certainly a specialist at Laguna Seca, although he’s not been so successful there over the past two years. I see the race open to every possible result and although difficult It would be nice to go on the summer vacation gaining a position in the championship.” Laguna Seca circuit Circuit length: 3610 m (2.243 miles) Main straight: 966 m (0.600 miles) Width: 15 m Pole Position: Right Right-hand corners: 4 Left-hand corners: 7 MotoGP Lap Record: 1’22″542 C.Stoner 2007 (Ducati) Pole Position: 1’22″292 C.Stoner 2007 (Ducati) United States Grand Prix 2007 – Results: 1st Casey Stoner (Ducati) 2nd Chris Vermeulen (Suzuki) 3rd Marco Melandri (Honda)