FAUSTO GRESINI, THE CHALLENGE OF AN ENTIRE YEAR Together with Fausto Gresini, team Manager and owner of the Team Movistar Honda MotoGP, let’s go through the championship which will conclude Sunday, 6th November in Valencia. THE PROGRAMS “The program at the beginning of the season was clear. The team had two top riders in its line up. With Sete Gibernau, strong of his second place standing in the championship, with a factory bike, we were aiming for the title. As second rider we took bet on a young rider, with the goal to nurture him so that he could produce some great results in the future.” THE SEASON “We began the season very strong and motivated. With 4 GP wins, Sete was the only rider able to challenge Valentino Rossi. Unfortunately we didn’t start brilliantly. In Jerez Sete raced a fantastic race but, when he and Valentino touched each other, he lost stability and the victory. Many rumors followed the contact between the two. The second race, disputed with bad weather conditions under heavy rain didn’t help the race leader. Slipping during the 16th lap, Sete was leading the race and Valentino was 11″ behind, and this really hit us hard. During the next race in China, Sete immediately made himself noticeable. After a warm up which saw himself strong and determined, he faced with some problems during the race and finished 4th. These first races really had their toll during this long and difficult championship. Gibernau always proved to be determined and consistent, very quick in the trial sessions, but for various reason was just not able to pick up the results during the races. His standing today of 6th in the championship does not reflect his true potential. It is a whole different story for Marco Melandri. It is incredible to think of the results which Marco was able to obtain, especially following the past two very difficult years. I always believed in him, he is a very able rider who never gives up. In continuous growth he was able to get past the difficult moment that afflicted him mid-season. Marco has had a fantastic season and I am sure he is one of the best riders of the future.” THE END RESULT “I think it has been a positive season for the team who is defending its second place standing in the championship. Marco’s second place would signify three consecutive years at the top of the championship (Sete Gibernau won two second places with Gresini in 2003 and 2004). Undoubtedly it is a fantastic result for both the team and the riders.” THE WORSE RACE “There have been various difficult moments. I remember the English GP: in one lap both riders fell. We left with zero points and two fallen riders. There have been some opaque races in which we really had difficulty to reach our usually high standards of racing.” MOMENTS OF FEAR “Japanese GP: another terrible moment. When Marco fell we were very worried about the physical consequences the accident could have on him. We valued with caution the situation, it was a very delicate moment during the season.” THE TURN “The GP of Qatar where Marco conquered his second place with an incredible race. Following that was the fantastic 4th place in Australia and his mega job in Turkey where Marco demonstrated his true champion potential.” THE VICTORY “When you win it is thanks to everyone: first of all the rider, then the team, Honda who has given us a competitive bike, Michelin who helps us to choose the right tyres and who has given us super performing tyres as well. The victory at Istanbul has a very important significance for Marco and for his team. It’s a group of technicians who has suffered a lot, a team who worked with Daijiro Kato and who hasn’t gone back to winning since his tragic loss. I am very happy for Fabrizio Cecchini and all the other guys, this victory has a very particular taste to it. With Marco, there are many hearts beating with the same desire to look forward, to get great results. Marco’s victory has given it all a very special meaning.” THE LAST GOAL “As a team we always aim high, our competitiveness is our trademark. With Marco we want to fight for this second place in the championship. Moreover, as team we are 3rd in championship but we’d like to improve this position.” TECHNICAL SUPPORT “On a technical level we have always been able to count on Honda. During the whole year Sete has contributed to the development of the factory bike while Marco has raced with a RC211V fps (a satellite bike). Thanks to the technical support that Honda HRC puts at disposal of all his riders, we have always counted on very high quality bikes with which we have reached great results. With the increase in power and performance of the bikes, tyres have become a fundamental element for the success. Sete and Marco have worked during this year with Michelin technicians to develop the tyres. Thanks to Michelin tyres the performance of the bikes is increased and we are proud to have given our contribute to the development of Michelin tyres, number one in performance and research.”