The Fiat Yamaha Team contest their second ‘home’ race of the season this weekend, with the San Marino Grand Prix taking place on Italian soil at the Misano circuit on the Adriatic coast. The trip is a short one for the team, whose base is just 300km away in Milan, but even shorter for Valentino Rossi, with his hometown of Tavullia located a mere 15km down the road. The multi-World Champion heads to the thirteenth round of the current MotoGP series with his sights firmly set on a sixth premier-class title after extending his advantage over Casey Stoner to 50 points in the last round at Brno. Having missed out on the title for the past two seasons following a five-year winning streak, Rossi’s improvement is outlined by the fact that a fifth-place finish this Sunday will see him outscore his tally for either of those campaigns. The 29-year-old’s army of local supporters are sure to be in party mood at the lively seaside resort as he looks to make up for the disappointment of a mechanical breakdown in this race last year and score three consecutive wins for the second time this season. Also within Rossi’s range is the all-time record for premier-class victories, set at 68 by Giacomo Agostini back in 1976. Jorge Lorenzo continues his Grand Prix education at full fitness after a troublesome period of injury and tyre woes. The rookie from Mallorca won the 250cc race at Misano last year after having qualified on pole and he will be looking to support Rossi in the quest to improve on Yamaha’s total of 283 points in last year’s Constructors’ World Championship, which will be secured if any of the factory’s riders finish in the top two. Valentino Rossi “OUT TO MAKE UP FOR LAST YEAR” “I’m really excited to be going to Misano in such good shape and leading the championship. Last year the race was a huge disappointment for us, a very low point of the season and especially sad because it happened in front of my home fans. But this time things are very different; we’ve had two fantastic races in a row and we are feeling very strong and very confident. We are out to make up for 2007! Misano is so close to my home town of Tavullia that I know there will be an army of Italian fans there, and I hope it’s going to be a great party for all of them. Last year there was some terrible weather before the race as well so I really hope that this year we have sunshine and we can enjoy a fantastic race by the sea!” Jorge Lorenzo “GOOD MEMORIES!” “After the disaster of Brno I’m going to Misano with the belief and the will that everything goes much better and that we’re able to score a positive result in my team’s second home Grand Prix. I’m riding well at the moment and in the post-race test in the Czech Republic we were able to shave off a few tenths that will be vital for the next GP. Misano is a small track for MotoGP but it is safe. Last year I won in 250cc so my only memories of it are good ones!” Davide Brivio “TARGETS ARE THE SAME” “Last year we arrived in Misano with a 60-point disadvantage to Stoner and now we are 50 ahead so the situation is completely reversed and obviously that’s great for us. Having said that, we still have six difficult races left and there are circuits coming up where we know our rivals will be very strong. Misano is one of the places where last year we were not so bad so it could be one of the places we can fight. It is difficult to overtake but I expect and hope for another good show. Valentino’s targets haven’t changed since the start of the season the first priority is to be on the podium, which is even more crucial at this stage, and when possible fight to win. Those objectives remains the same regardless of the points situation.” Daniele Romagnoli “MISANO IS ANOTHER STORY” “We go to Misano in good spirits but knowing that we can’t afford a repeat of the last two races, where our performance has been completely dictated by the tyres especially Brno. Hopefully Misano will be another story because it’s a completely different kind of circuit. It is not as fast, it is flat, and last year Michelin were competitive there. We did a lot of work on the tyres in the test at Brno and found something with durability on the front and a solution for the rear that helps under acceleration. Hopefully we can carry those improvements through to this weekend because Jorge is riding well, this is a circuit he likes and we saw earlier in the season what he is capable of if he has the necessary tools.” More, from a press release issued by JiR Team Scot MotoGP: JiR Team Scot looking forward to a race full of expectation at Misano The forthcoming Grand Prix of San Marino, which precedes four ‘flyway’ outside Europe, will be an emotional one for the riders of JiR Team Scot. Andrea Dovizioso a native of Forli around thirty kilometers from the circuit ran the first race of his career on the near-by track of Romagna, and he has a strong following from the Iocal fans who warmly welcome him for one of his ‘home’ grand prixs. Meanwhile, Japanese rider Yuki Takahashi lived for four years in Cattolica, a few kilometres from the circuit. For JiR Team Scot this will be an important opportunity to host their supporters and partners on a race weekend that will be full of expectation for team and riders. Both riders have something to aim for, with Andrea chasing fourth place in the championship standings and Yuki continuing to recover points in the 250cc series. The Misano circuit has received a major revision around the exit of pit-lane which is now more than 250 metres long, increasing the overall circuit length from 4180 metres to 4226 metres, so the current lap records will no longer be relevant. Gianluca Montiron – Director JiR Team Scot “The championship is now entering into its final stages, one in which the championship is in the balance and each race will affect the final outcome at the end of the season. For our part, we expect Michelin to react to this weekend’s race determinedly to enable us to achieve the competitiveness needed to make the difference in our favour. Our confidence in our technical partner is unchanged, and we will arrive at Misano motivated to gather the best possible result.” Cirano Mularoni – Team Manager JiR Team Scot “For the team, the Grand Prix of San Marino is one of the two races on Italian circuits: these races are the most anticipated for us and packed with fascination for the final result and tension as we try to get the best result we can. With our sponsors and friends present, we want to make it a special weekend and make a big impression in the race. In MotoGP, after the last result, we expect to find improved technical conditions, which would allow Andrea to express his skill more and to better exploit his Honda, while Yuki in the 250cc class, should continue his positive trend and have a very good race.” Andrea Dovizioso – Pilot JiR Team Scot MotoGP – HONDA RC212V “This for me is my home Grand Prix, so I am excited to run in front of my fans and the many friends who wish me support on the many internet forums. The track itself is pretty slow, because there are many curves and the straights are short, but this could help during the race. Everyone is motivated to get a good result for both the Italian public and for my championship position. The circuit I like very much: last year I went well in practice and qualifying but then in the race I was victim of a mechanical problem so I have unfinished business here.” Yuki Takahashi Pilot JiR Team Scot 250GP – HONDA RS250RW “For me the Grand Prix of San Marino is my second race at home, as I lived for some years in Cattolica, a few kilometres from the circuit and I feel the thrill of racing in Italy. The track is not fast, and I think that this could be favourable to my Honda. With the changes made to the circuit I will see how things have altered and whether this is will influence things. Either way, I want to make a good race for my team and to improve the outcome of last year as I was not satisfied with the result.” Circuit Misano Adriatico Length circuit: 4226 m (2.626 miles) Rettilineo: 565 m (0.351 miles) Width: 12 m Pole Position: left – Curve right: 10 – Curve left: 5 MotoGP Lap record: not available for modification to the circuit Pole Position: unavailable for change to the circuit San Marino Grand Prix 2007 – Results: 1st Casey Stoner (Ducati) 2nd Chris Vermeulen (Suzuki) 3rd John Hopkins (Suzuki) 250GP Lap Record: unavailable for change to the circuit Pole Position: unavailable for change to the circuit San Marino Grand Prix 2007 – Results: 1st Jorge Lorenzo (Aprilia) 2nd Hiroshi Aoyama (KTM) 3rd Hector Barbera (Aprilia) More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki: CONFIDENT KAWASAKI HEAD FOR MISANO Kawasaki’s Anthony West and John Hopkins head for the Republic of San Marino and the Misano circuit for round 13 of the MotoGP World Championship in confident mood, after improvements to the Ninja ZX-RR led to a strong showing by both riders last time out at Brno. Anthony West secured a career best finish with fifth place in the Czech Republic Grand Prix, and after making further steps forward with the set-up of his Ninja ZX-RR during the post race test at the Brno circuit, the 27-year-old Kawasaki pilot heads for Misano determined to continue his run of form into this weekend’s Grand Prix Di San Marino E Della Riviera Di Rimini. Although not one of his favourite circuits, the Misano track has proved a happy hunting ground for West in the past. In 2007 the Australian took victory in the first World Supersport race at the revamped circuit, before joining the Kawasaki Racing Team and returning to the Republic of San Marino to take a hard fought eighth place finish in last year’s MotoGP race. West returns to Misano this year determined to finish top ten once again. John Hopkins looked like a likely candidate for a podium finish after qualifying on the front row and then making a strong start in the Czech Republic Grand Prix less than one week ago. Unfortunately for the Anglo-American, a gamble on tyres didn’t pay off and, after running at the front up to the halfway point, Hopkins was forced to drop back to finish 11th at the flag after struggling with rear traction. The 25-year-old Kawasaki pilot sat out the two-day, post race test at Brno due to a minor, but painful, rib injury sustained in a practice crash. Now fully fit once again, Hopkins is confident that the upgrades to his Ninja ZX-RR made ahead of the Brno race will give him the competitive package he needs to fight for his, so far elusive, first podium finish for Kawasaki this weekend in San Marino. The Misano circuit features many fast-flowing sections along with slower combinations that test machine and rider skill to the maximum. The track is incredibly bumpy in places, and with the sometimes stifling heat of the Adriatic coast, a good tyre choice for durability throughout the race will be an essential factor. The MotoGP weekend always has an electric atmosphere, generated by the passionate Italian fans that venture to see the racing action in their thousands. Anthony West Kawasaki MotoGP Pilot #13 “I am looking forward to going to Misano following my best ever result in MotoGP last time out at Brno. We had a positive post-race test there, and we managed to make further improvements to the bike, which has certainly made it easier to ride. I hope that we can continue with our development this weekend because I am determined for us to be fighting for more strong results in the dry. I have spent the last few days in Italy, where I’ve been out cycling, so I feel relaxed and ready to take on the challenge. There’s a good atmosphere at this circuit, but after last year’s washout on the opening practice day, the weather could play a really big part in proceedings.” John Hopkins Kawasaki MotoGP Pilot #21 “We had a positive weekend in Brno following my return to the track after a long absence through injury and we managed to put the Kawasaki on the front row. Although I didn’t quite achieve the result we were hoping for, Anthony got into the top five, which just shows that the Kawasaki is improving all of the time and is capable of gaining good results. I really enjoy the Misano circuit, I managed to get on the podium there last year so it’s certainly a track I like. I’ve spent the last week in Miami resting and training just to give the injuries that I am still carrying the best possible time to recuperate, so I’m feeling stronger and ready to achieve the results we are more than capable of.” More, from a press release issued by Marlboro Ducati: DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM BACK ON HOME SOIL The Ducati Marlboro Team will race on home soil and in front of their fans for the second time this season when the Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini gets underway this weekend at Misano. Thousands of Ducatisti will once again make their presence felt on Sunday as they take over the grandstand in turn one, the “Variante Parco”, providing crucial backing to the Italian factory. Both Casey Stoner and Marco Melandri are in the mood to put on a show for them, especially after the results of a recent test session at Brno, where the Australian found a setting that allowed him to go even faster than he had done in last Sunday’s race whilst the Italian also made some encouraging progress. In 2007 the pair both performed well at Misano, with Stoner taking a stunning victory from pole position and Melandri coming through from twelfth on the grid to take fourth place at the flag. LIVIO SUPPO, MotoGP Project Director “Over the past five rounds Casey has shown incredible speed from the opening practice session at a variety of circuits and even though he hasn’t got the points to show for it, he’s in outstanding form and we’re sure he’ll also be on the pace at Misano. The team and the engineers back at the factory are working non-stop on continuing development of the GP8 and offering all our riders a highly-competitive package, as shown by an excellent podium for Toni Elias at Brno. Marco also had a good second-half of the race at Brno and we’re confident that he has the ability to do well at Misano, where he will be racing in front of his fans in what will be a special race for him.” CASEY STONER (Ducati Marlboro Team) 2nd in the championship on 187 points (-50) “We had a great result at Misano last year and that, added to the fact that we’re in good shape with the set-up and the tyres, means we can be reasonably confident of another good result here. After the last few races and in the recent test at Brno we’ve managed to improve the set-up even more so we’re confident of putting on a good show for the home fans at Misano. It is quite a tight and twisty track and the surface is quite bumpy but there are some really fun sections. We’ll see what happens but we’re in good shape – the gap in the championship is big but we’ll keep fighting until it’s over.” MARCO MELANDRI (Ducati Marlboro Team) 15th in the championship on 41 points (-196) “I was born a few kilometres from Misano and I really feel at home at this circuit. It is still quite a new circuit for us and this year they’ve altered turn one again. There are a lot of slow corners and it’s not easy to overtake so qualifying well and getting a good start are even more important than usual. In the Brno test we found a few set-up modifications that I liked and we hope they also work at this track. Obviously it would give me great satisfaction to have a good race here – more than anything for the team.” THE TRACK The Misano Autodrome was built in the early 1970s, measuring a mere 3.488km in its original form. In 1993 it was extended to 4.060km before further modifications between 1996 and 1998 saw the pit garage and paddock complex extended and updated. The biggest changes to the circuit took place in 2006, when the track was lengthened to 4.180km and radically reversed from clockwise to anti-clockwise. The biggest changes to the corners were at Rio and Carro. In general it is a tight track, characterised by a prevalence of slow corners – other than the fast and extremely demanding ‘Curvone’ right-hander. RECORDS Circuit Record: Casey Stoner (Ducati – 2007), 1’34.649 – 158.987 km/h Best Pole: Casey Stoner (Ducati – 2007), 1’33.918 – 160.224 km/h Circuit Length: 4.180km MotoGP Race 2008: 28 laps (117,04 km) MotoGP Timetable 2008: 14:00 CET DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM’S BEST RESULT AT MISANO 2007: 1st (Stoner) DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM – RIDER INFO CASEY STONER Age: 22 (born 16th October 1985) Residence: Montecarlo Bike: Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici GP8 GP appearances: 106 (45xMotoGP, 31×250, 30×125) GP victories: 21 (14xMotoGP, 5×250, 2×125) First GP victory: Valencia, 2003 (125) First GP: Great Britain, 2001 (125) Pole positions: 16 (12xMotoGP, 2×250, 2×125) First pole position: Italy, 2003 (125) World titles: 1 (MotoGP, 2007) MotoGP track record at Misano: 2007: Grid: 1st; Race: 1st MARCO MELANDRI Age: 26 (born 7th August 1982 in Ravenna, Italy) Residence: Derby, UK Bike: Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici GP8 GP appearances: 166 (90xMotoGP, 47×250, 29 x 125) GP victories: 22 (5xMotoGP, 10×250, 7×125) First GP victory: Holland, 1998 (125) First GP: Czech Republic, 1997 (125) Pole positions: 9 (6×250, 3×125) First pole position: Germany, 1998 (125) World titles: 1 (250, 2002) MotoGP track record at Misano: 2007: Grid: 12th; Race: 4th