-
Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
-
Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Games
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
MotoGP
MOTOGP: Bautista Eyes USGP Bounce Back
Alvaro Bautista is in need of a good weekend to get his season back on track.
(Photo: Gresini Racing)
PROGRAMMING NOTE: The Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix from Laguna Seca will air on SPEED on Sunday, July 29th at 6:00pm ET. Qualifying will air on SPEED on Saturday, July 28 at 11:00pm ET and free practice will air on SPEED2 Friday, July 27 at 5:10pm ET. #MotoGPonSPEED
After a difficult weekend followed by a positive day of testing at Mugello Team San Carlo Honda Gresini heads to the United States this weekend with renewed faith and confidence. The post-race session last Monday in Italy gave Alvaro Bautista the opportunity to rebuild his feeling for the Honda RC213V before tackling the spectacular Laguna Seca circuit in California. Using the soft tires the Spaniard completed 49 laps of Mugello at an impressive pace. It was also a positive session for Michele Pirro, who along with his crew was able to fix the technical problem that has brought his last two races to an early finish. Laguna Seca will be a completely new circuit to the Italian but he cannot wait to get started out there and experience the unique atmosphere of the West Coast, where Team San Carlo Honda Gresini hope to be back amongst the frontrunners in MotoGP.
Alvaro Bautista “Mugello was a difficult weekend for us. I was desperate to perform well in the team's home race, especially with the livery going back to white, but unfortunately we had a lot of problems using the hard tyre and that prevented us from finding a set-up that we liked. I never managed to find a good feeling with the bike so wasn't able to push it or myself to the limit. Since returning home I have been working hard on my physical fitness and I went down to Albacete to watch the Spanish Championship race. Now I want to rediscover the pace and feeling for my bike that I had before Mugello. It would be nice to have a 'normal' weekend so that we can work on maximising our potential and being as competitive as we have been in the last few races. A good result would set us up for the next few weeks and also put some bad memories to bed for me in MotoGP at Laguna because I have yet to actually finish a race there. Laguna Seca is a difficult circuit with dramatic elevation changes and blind corners where you have to anticipate the entry point in order to get the best line. It is important to have a good setting on the bike otherwise your job on the track gets much more difficult. There is a wonderful and unique ambience there with there only being the MotoGP class and the atmosphere created by the American fans is fantastic.”
Michele Pirro “I am still feeling bitter about the retirement at Mugello in my home Grand Prix, which made it a double disappointment for me, the team, the fans and the sponsors. Unfortunately this is still a young bike and these things can happen from time to time. During the test on the Monday we managed to work out the problem and now we can go to Laguna feeling much better about it and looking to do well. Since the last race I have spent three days at the barracks continuing my police training but also kept up to my personal fitness program in readiness for a very demanding circuit. I have never been to Laguna Seca but from what I have seen and been told it is a spectacular track. I am curious to see the famous Corkscrew for real – I am told it is amazing. I can't wait to get on track, I feel in good shape and I am determined to do well.”
Fausto Gresini “The trip to America comes on the back of a disappointing home Grand Prix for us but Laguna Seca presents a chance to put things right. The data we gathered during the test at Mugello was all positive and we're feeling confident now. Alvaro has rediscovered the confidence he was lacking in the bike over the weekend when he was forced to use the hard tyre. Using the soft tyre in the test he was able to rediscover his feeling with the bike and he is confident he can get back to the form he showed before Mugello. It was also a satisfying day for Michele because we were able to solve the problems with the CRT bike that had forced him to retire from the last two races. Laguna is a completely new experience for him but he always adapts quickly to new circuits so I am sure Michele can be fighting to be the top CRT there. ”
After a difficult weekend followed by a positive day of testing at Mugello Team San Carlo Honda Gresini heads to the United States this weekend with renewed faith and confidence. The post-race session last Monday in Italy gave Alvaro Bautista the opportunity to rebuild his feeling for the Honda RC213V before tackling the spectacular Laguna Seca circuit in California. Using the soft tires the Spaniard completed 49 laps of Mugello at an impressive pace. It was also a positive session for Michele Pirro, who along with his crew was able to fix the technical problem that has brought his last two races to an early finish. Laguna Seca will be a completely new circuit to the Italian but he cannot wait to get started out there and experience the unique atmosphere of the West Coast, where Team San Carlo Honda Gresini hope to be back amongst the frontrunners in MotoGP.
Alvaro Bautista “Mugello was a difficult weekend for us. I was desperate to perform well in the team's home race, especially with the livery going back to white, but unfortunately we had a lot of problems using the hard tyre and that prevented us from finding a set-up that we liked. I never managed to find a good feeling with the bike so wasn't able to push it or myself to the limit. Since returning home I have been working hard on my physical fitness and I went down to Albacete to watch the Spanish Championship race. Now I want to rediscover the pace and feeling for my bike that I had before Mugello. It would be nice to have a 'normal' weekend so that we can work on maximising our potential and being as competitive as we have been in the last few races. A good result would set us up for the next few weeks and also put some bad memories to bed for me in MotoGP at Laguna because I have yet to actually finish a race there. Laguna Seca is a difficult circuit with dramatic elevation changes and blind corners where you have to anticipate the entry point in order to get the best line. It is important to have a good setting on the bike otherwise your job on the track gets much more difficult. There is a wonderful and unique ambience there with there only being the MotoGP class and the atmosphere created by the American fans is fantastic.”
Michele Pirro “I am still feeling bitter about the retirement at Mugello in my home Grand Prix, which made it a double disappointment for me, the team, the fans and the sponsors. Unfortunately this is still a young bike and these things can happen from time to time. During the test on the Monday we managed to work out the problem and now we can go to Laguna feeling much better about it and looking to do well. Since the last race I have spent three days at the barracks continuing my police training but also kept up to my personal fitness program in readiness for a very demanding circuit. I have never been to Laguna Seca but from what I have seen and been told it is a spectacular track. I am curious to see the famous Corkscrew for real – I am told it is amazing. I can't wait to get on track, I feel in good shape and I am determined to do well.”
Fausto Gresini “The trip to America comes on the back of a disappointing home Grand Prix for us but Laguna Seca presents a chance to put things right. The data we gathered during the test at Mugello was all positive and we're feeling confident now. Alvaro has rediscovered the confidence he was lacking in the bike over the weekend when he was forced to use the hard tyre. Using the soft tyre in the test he was able to rediscover his feeling with the bike and he is confident he can get back to the form he showed before Mugello. It was also a satisfying day for Michele because we were able to solve the problems with the CRT bike that had forced him to retire from the last two races. Laguna is a completely new experience for him but he always adapts quickly to new circuits so I am sure Michele can be fighting to be the top CRT there. ”
Grand Prix of The France
LATEST HEADLINES: MOTO-RACING
-
MOTOGP: Noyes' Notebook - Yamaha Falling On Hard Times
The balance of power has shifted firmly back in Honda's favor. Do… -
AMA MX: Villopoto Leads Into Thunder Valley
Ryan Villopoto rolls into Lakewood, Colorado for Round 2 of the '13… -
AMA FT: Series Prepares For Springfield Mile
Round 4 of the AMA pro Flat Track Championship will take place this… -
WSBK: Title Battles Arrives At Donington Park
The British contingent is preparing to defend its home turf this… -
AMA MX: Hangtown Ticker (UPDATED)
Notes and quotes following this past weekend's Lucas Oil Pro Motocross… -
VIDEO: AMA MX - Hangtown Classic Highlights
Ryan Villopoto kicked off the '13 Lucias Oil Motocross season in… -
AMA DSB: Westby Back In Action
Dane Westby was back on a bike after his Daytona injury to test at… - More News
