From a press release issued by Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda:

GP OF MALAYSIA – PREVIEW

Round 14 – Sepang 10.10.2004
After the incredible performance of the two riders of the Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda at Qatar, the circus moved to Malaysia.

Sete Gibernau, the winner of the 1st GP in the middle east has arrived today in Sepang after two days of relax spent in Barcelona.

Thanks to the win in Qatar, the championship is open again and tension and pressure are higher but the Spaniard keeps on remaining concentrated on this weekend race, counting on himself and the team.

SETE GIBERNAU: “I only want to think that I have 25 points more. I want to maintain the concentration on myself. Together with the team we have decide to handle each race as an indipendent one. So I will give 110% as in every race.

“The Malaysian GP will be another difficult race. The engines really feel the high temperatures and the humidity. We do a lot of winter testing here so we have a lot of reference data from this track. However we can only use it in part as by the time we get here it is the 13th race of the season and the bike has changed, there have been upgrades compared to the winter test. Sepang is for sure a challenging track, but if you find the right set up, it isn’t all that difficult.”

COLIN EDWARDS: “After the podium in Qatar I really look forward to racing in Sepang. I know the track because I raced here last year and we tested here in winter. Now that I have a very good feeling with my RC211V, I’m very confident for the Malaysian GP.”

THE AMERICAN COMMENTS THE SEPANG TRACK

Q: Which are your memories of the Malaysian track?
A: When I think of Sepang I can only think of one word: HOT! I really like the track, it has a nice setup.

Q: What is your favourite sector?
A: Probably the two corners before the straight behind the starting one. Here keeping your line is very important, the braking is harsh and it can be a tricky point.

Q: Which is the best place to overtake?
A: The braking in the 1st corner.

Q: In which part of the track is it difficult to be quick?
A: About at three fourths of the length of the track there is a tight left hand corner followed by a blind spot.

Q: What is the secret to a perfect lap?
A: Here, like in Donington, you need to have an aggressive ride in certain areas, while in others you need to ride the bike gently.