MotoGP news

De Puniet expects to do well in Portugal

De Puniet will be determined to perform at the highest level after his crash at San Marino. After putting in some increasingly powerful performances this season, including a superb top five finish at Catalunya in June, the 26-year-old, who lives in Andorra, is unwavering in his pursuit of a podium place in this, his second season at premier class level.

History shows the Frenchman has a strong record at the 4.182km circuit: he managed no less than four top ten finishes here in his 250cc days, including three thirds, and managed 10th spot last year on the erstwhile 990cc ZX-RR. With his increasing mastery of the new 800cc machinery and ample confidence in the Bridgestone tyres used by the squad, de Puniet will be fast, agile and unyielding as he fights for a good outcome this weekend.

Speaking about the upcoming race at Estoril De Puniet said: "We stayed at Misano to test, which was very constructive. I was trying out a new swingarm, and immediately got a good feeling from it, so hope to use it in Portugal. Estoril's a very technical circuit. There's a long straight, which should be good for the ZX-RR, and another back straight, but the rest is really slow, especially the chicane at turns nine and ten. I think we're going to do really well there with the 800cc bike. We can certainly be at the top."

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