SHANGHAI RACE OPENS NEW CHAPTER IN MotoGP The astonishing new Shanghai circuit is an unknown quantity for every rider in every class this weekend and it represents an early-season opportunity for the sharper riders and teams to exploit their advantage if they can get to grips with the imposing 5.281km track quicker than their rivals. The inaugural Grand Prix of China begins an exciting period of expansion for Grand Prix motorcycle racing. Honda’s close industrial partnerships with China are growing at pace, and this race represents a fruitful union between the two countries fostered through exciting technologies. But successful business ventures take a back foot this weekend pure motorcycle racing of the highest standard at an awe-inspiring facility is what China’s first ever motorcycle Grand Prix is about and the riders are understandably eager to see what demands the track makes on man and machine. Alex Barros (Camel Honda RC211V) is likely to be the man taking the fight to reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) this weekend. Brazilian Barros won in difficult conditions in Portugal two weeks ago and after a solid first race result of fourth in Spain, Barros currently sits only seven points behind Rossi. Marco Melandri (Team Movistar Honda RC211V) is the surprise of the season so far. Sete Gibernau’s team-mate lies third in the points standings after a third place in Spain and a fourth in Portugal. The young Italian former 250cc World Champion is now showing the best of his abilities on the Honda RC211V after two disappointing seasons with Yamaha in the premier class. It seems Max Biaggi (Repsol Honda RC211V) is racing back into contention too after a torrid first race in Spain where he could only qualify 16th and finish seventh. The Roman star was third in Portugal and this race represents a perfect chance to master set-up and reap rewards if rivals fail to get their machines to perform on this unknown quantity of a track. The Shanghai circuit was built for a 2004 Formula One Grand Prix at cost of $250 million US dollars and it is the most imposing track yet conceived in motorsport. Two enormous ‘wings’ cover part of the 1202m long start/finish straight and the track also features two demanding 360-degree turns. These turns are expected to place huge demands on tyre grip, especially on front tyres. And that long straight the longest of all the tracks on the calendar will impose its own demands on both rubber and machinery. And with seven left and seven right turns both sides of the tyres will get a thorough workout too. The track is 14m wide and so overtaking is expected to be easy, providing the cut and thrust that makes MotoGP racing such compelling viewing. The Formula One race in 2004 attracted a crowd of 150,000 and the MotoGP crowd is expected to be of a similar size. World Championship runner-up in 2004, title contender Sete Gibernau (Team Movistar Honda RC211V) said, “This Shanghai track will be a real challenge for both the teams and the riders. We all begin from scratch and we only have four practice sessions that is three hours of free practice sessions, and a one-hour qualifying session. These hours will be decisive for the starting grid, learning to interpret the track, finding the right set-up and being as competitive as possible. And I’m curious about racing in China, an interesting country with a lot of tradition.” His team-mate Marco is equally intrigued over what this weekend might bring. “I saw the design of the track for the first time only a week ago,” he said. “It’s very innovative for sure. There are two particularly long corners, which will be hard on the front end of the bike, as it will be put under a lot of strain. Whoever adapts to the track quickest will logically have the advantage.” As his 200th Grand Prix start nears, Max said, “We are going to discover an amazing country, to experience a new circuit and to take our chances at winning. The track seems very good, with different characteristics, fast and technical. The Estoril podium gave us good energy to look forward. But still that’s not enough for me. I’m sure my team understands how to remain competitive for for my 200th Grand Prix.” Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) said, “I’m looking forward to China. It’ll be a new country, a new track for us all and I’m sure it’ll be a really interesting experience like Qatar last year. Everyone starts from zero, but at this level it doesn’t take long before everyone’s going pretty quick. After the last race, which wasn’t the best, I just want to get back mixing with the boys up front.” Nicky finished seventh in Portugal. Barros is raring to ride in China. “I know the track from a video game, which is really realistic, and it seems quite technical and varied. There are all sorts of bends, with slow corner entries and quick exits, and vice versa. Then long straights and hard-braking areas. It looks like one of the modern style of tracks, like Sepang but obviously, that’s just a ‘virtual’ feeling for the time being. Without a doubt it’s a great challenge and an unknown for everybody.” Barros team-mate Troy Bayliss (Camel Honda RC211V) is equally keen to race, “I know that at the end of the main straight the first corner goes to the right”¦ and that’s it!” he said. “Joking aside, I don’t know the circuit, but I think that we will learn it straight away. Apart from the crash in Estoril we were running a good race, and in Shanghai we’ll try to do the same. My confidence on the bike is improving all the time and I’m working really well with the team.” Makoto Tamada (Konica Minolta Honda RC211V), who did not ride in Portugal after injuring his right wrist, will not ride in China either. His scaphoid bone is broken. Dutchman Jurgen van den Goorbergh will take his place, while Tamada aims to be fit to ride in France in just over two weeks time. “I’ve tried to wait until the last moment to decide,” said Tamada. “But when you have such pain there is nothing you can do about it. I wish good luck to Jurgen and the team for this weekend.” The 250cc riders face the same tough challenge and World Championship leader Dani Pedrosa (Team Movistar Honda RS250RW) will need all his considerable resources to stay ahead of his pursuers in China. Andrea Dovizioso (Scot Racing Team Honda RS250RW) lies just five points behind Pedrosa after notching up a fourth place and a third in the opening two races so far. “It’s a new track and it’s the same for everybody,” said Dovi. “Whoever finds the right set-up early on will have an advantage over the weekend, so every session will be vital in understanding how to get the most from the bike in a new environment.” Yuki Takahashi (Scot Racing Team Honda RS250RW), Dovi’s team-mate, expects it to be tough. “We know what to expect, but we don’t know exactly what Shanghai will demand until we ride the track for the first time,” he said. “It will be a real test of a rider’s ability to adapt to new demands.” In the 125cc World Championship Fabrizio Lai (Kopron Racing World Honda RS125RW) is the man closest to series points leader Mika Kallio (KTM) as the class heads into unknown territory. And the experienced Italian will draw encouragement from his strong start to the year. “We’ll all have to work very hard here,” said Lai. “No one can afford to miss any track time through crashing and with such a long straight top speed and acceleration out of the turns will be crucial.” Thomas Luthi (Elit Grand Prix Honda RS125R) looks to be back on form after a lacklustre 2004 season and the Swiss rider scored a valuable podium in Portugal after an electrical fault robbed him of points in Spain. Luthi is currently seventh in the standings.