MotoGP news

Gresini looking for Shanghai redemption

After a two-week break following the Grand Prix of Portugal, the 2008 MotoGP World Championship returns this weekend with the Grand Prix of China at Shanghai. It is an important round for Team San Carlo Honda Gresini, as it kicks off the season's 'tour de force' - with five races in little over a month.

De Angelis, who has now completely recovered from the severe bout of tonsillitis that slowed him down at Estoril, is looking to reproduce the kind of form that saw him running in the lead pack during winter testing and in the opening round in Qatar.
Nakano, who has made the most of the journey east to visit his home in Japan, is focusing on an improved performance in qualifying to give himself a better chance of competing in the race. 

"Shanghai won't be an easy circuit, there's a long straight and at the moment we're a little down on horsepower, as was shown by our top speed at the last couple of races," said de Angelis. "In any case, Bridgestone have always gone well in China so that gives us confidence - even more so after the great test we had in Portugal. In China there is always the risk of rain but considering that in the wet warm-up at Estoril I was second fastest we should be able to hold our own. Physically I'm in good shape - I've recovered 100% from the illness in Portugal. I've trained hard and I'm ready to give my best. The target is a top ten finish."

Shinya Nakano commented, "At Estoril after the Grand Prix we tested a few Bridgestone fronts and found a good compound and construction. If we can combine those two factors I think we can be very competitive at Shanghai. The circuit is a lot of fun - the main characteristic there is the long straight followed by a tight and slow hairpin, which is a really difficult place to master. Last year another rider didn't manage to get the bike stopped there on the first lap and he knocked into me, forcing me to crash, so the first objective this year is to get through the first lap! Joking aside I like the track and I qualified well here last year. The first three races of this year haven't been good for me in terms of qualifying but I think Shanghai can be different. It will be important to do so to be able to follow the front group."

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