MotoGP news

Gresini ready to go racing

Honda Gresini is ready to start a new, major challenge. This weekend at the Losail Circuit in Qatar the 2008 edition of the MotoGP World Championship gets underway with an historic event - the first ever Grand Prix to be held at night under artificial light. The Italian squad will be tackling this latest adventure with a completely new look and with two new riders - San Marino rookie Alex de Angelis, who makes the step up from the 250cc class, and experienced Japanese star Shinya Nakano, who is determined to return to the sharp end of the premier class. 

"The results from the last test in Qatar, apart from the two crashes for Alex and Shinya, were definitely positive and we head to the first Grand Prix knowing that we have a good pace in race trim," said team boss Fausto Gresini. "De Angelis wasn't far off the top guys - he still has a few things to improve but we're ready for the race. As far as qualifying is concerned, things are slightly more complicated and we need to make some steps forward. Nakano has improved a lot over the winter tests, he's very consistent and I'm expecting good results from him. He maybe needs to be a bit more aggressive but I'm convinced that will come once the racing starts. The guys in the team are all happy."

"A new line-up means starting again almost from zero but we have always liked a challenge and we won't be taking a backward step," he added.

more news

• 29 Aug.
  • Positive start for Rossi
  • Improvement for Lorenzo
  • Stoner fastest on Friday
  • Stoner sets morning pace
• 26 Aug.
  • Stoner determined to bounce back
  • Gresini riders aim high for Misano
• 22 Aug.
  • Repsol Honda back to full strength
• 20 Aug.
  • Melandri confirms Kawasaki move
• 19 Aug.
  • Nakano wraps up positive test for Gresini
  • Stoner ends test with threatening pace
  • Rossi confident for final rounds after test
• 18 Aug.
  • Good test ends strong weekend for Rossi
  • Ducati top test with Stoner
• 17 Aug.
  • Dismal end to disappointing weekend for Pedrosa
  • Stoner rues costly mistake
  • Encouraging results for Gresini
  • Rossi celebrates crucial victory
  • Rossi storms to win as Stoner crashes
  • Stoner still ahead in warm-up
• 16 Aug.
  • Photos: Saturday in Brno
  • Pedrosa struggles in qualifying
  • Rossi hoping for dry race
  • Stoner storms to sixth straight pole
  • Stoner fastest on Saturday morning
• 15 Aug.
  • Stoner fastest despite stomach pain
  • Rossi in confident mood
  • Gresini upbeat after first day
  • Photos: Friday in Brno
  • Stoner bites back in second practice
  • Rossi leads Stoner in first practice
• 12 Aug.
  • Stoner ready to resume battle
  • Gresini riders hopeful for Brno
  • Injured Hayden won't race at Brno
• 11 Aug.
  • Hayden uncertain for Brno
• 08 Aug.
  • Capirossi to equal Barros' record
• 25 Jul.
  • FIM announces provisional 2009 calendar
• 23 Jul.
  • Metatarsal fractures confirmed for Lorenzo
• 21 Jul.
  • Rossi savours sweet taste of victory
  • Lorenzo rues yet another crash
  • Stoner not happy with second

Homepage