Australia GP. Rider´s comments

Sebastián Porto: ‘Its almost impossible to make up 48 points, but there are still 50 points at stake and anything can happen’.
MotoGP. Alex Barros: Like many riders I enjoy Phillip Island very much and although it has been a very hard few weeks with so many races in such a short time in every part of the world Im looking forward to racing there again. I remember very well the race in 2002 when I had a great battle with Valentino. We have been getting stronger and stronger over the last few races the team is working very hard and it has been good to get higher qualifying positions at the last two GPs and the podium in Sepang was welcome we will try everything to go one better in Australia. The fans there love their racing and it is a pleasure to race in front of such a great crowd. MotoGP. Nicky Hayden: Im real looking forward to getting to Phillip Island. Everything about the place is pretty special. The atmosphere, the track, the people. Ive tested there a few times and raced there once and I love it. This season is just clicking away so fast I really want to get some sort of result for the team and me. The last two races last year were pretty good (first podium and first front row) and Ill be working all out to go one better. After the two real hot races weve had at Doha and Sepang we could be in for bit of a shock in south Australia but Im ready for what ever comes blowing off that Ocean. That start finish straight heading through the seagulls and what feels like into the sea is real special and I cant wait. MotoGP. Rubén Xaus: ‘Phillip Island is a circuit I know well and I love it. I raced here in Supersport, Superbikes and weve also been testing here with the Desmosedici at the beginning of the year. We werent able to test much, but what we tested went great. Its a fast track although it has some angled braking sections and it needs speed in the corners. It is similar to Sepang, as regards the fact that if you open the throttle too early and enter the corner too fast, you cannot make good use of the exit. Its a bit different than the others because it is a left-hand side track. Well therefore have to change our riding technique a bit and that is nice, I think that things are going to work out fine here. 250. Fonsi Nieto: Australia is a track I like a lot. Its a fast and a little bumpy track, so well have to fine tune the suspensions and make the right choice of tyres. The result of Malaysia left me a bit disappointed but now I see things different. Here, in Phillip Island, my team and I will keep on working, as weve done so far, to see if we can get a better result. 250. Sebastián Porto: Australia is a fast track, favourable for the Aprilia. Ive always done a good job on this circuit; I got on the podium in 2002 and last year I started from the front row of the grid. It was a wet race and I went off the track. I managed to rejoin the race but then, unfortunately, I crashed. Ive arrived in Phillip Island eager to do a good a job and with a clear aim: winning the race and reduce Danis point advantage as much as possible. Its almost impossible to make up 48 points, but there are still 50 points at stake and anything can happen. 125. Pablo Nieto: Im quite bruised after the crash in Sepang and one of my fingers is hurting a bit, but fortunately I dont have any serious injury. It could have been worse because the crash has been one of the hardest Ive had so far. Now were going to Phillip Island, a track I like a lot, where Ill try to do it as good as possible. Lets see if were lucky enough to get a good result and arrive in Valencia in really high spirits. 125. Sergio Gadea: Im in high spirits for this race after the result in Sepang. This track, as the others, is completely new for me, but Im convinced that if we do a good job from the first day, well be able to be fighting again for the points.  The venue of the GP: Phillip Island circuitThe Road Racing World Championship returned to one of the most traditional enclaves of motorsport in 1997. The history of the Phillip Island Circuit dates back to the 20s, when the first car races where held there on non-asphalted public roads. The first motorcycle race took place in 1931 although it was in 1956, when the first permanent track was built, on the initiative of six local businessmen. The circuit fell into disrepair in the late 70s and early 80s until it was rehabilitated and modernised in 1985, giving the track its current 4448 m in length with 7 left-hand and 5 right-hand corners. Located in a picturesque scenery, 130 km south-east of Melbourne and only a couple of metres from the waters of the Bass Straight, Phillip Island has been venue of memorable battles. Two Australian Grand Prix were held there in 1989 and 1990, before becoming a regular venue of the World Championship in 1997, after the announcement in 1995. Its long straight – 900 m provides for exciting slipstream overtakings. The inhabitants of this remote Australian town, a calm summer and tourist resort along the year, share the friendly atmosphere during the Australian Grand Prix week with motorsport and speed lovers.Official Web:www.phillipislandcircuit.com.auNicky Hayden comments: Its my favourite circuit. The atmosphere and the location of the circuit on top of a hill, surrounded by the ocean, are fantastic. Its main problem are the wind and the seagulls. Last year I ran into one of them and its really dangerous. GP Australia 2003 results MotoGP Pole position: Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda) 1.30.068 a 177.785 Km/h.Winner: Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda) 41.53.543 a 172.006 Km/h.Second: Loris Capirossi (Ducati) + 5.212Third: Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda) + 12.039Fastest lap: Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda) 1.31.421 a 175.154 Km/h. 250Pole position: Toni Elias (Repsol Aprilia) 1.33.771 a 170.764 Km/h.Winner: Roberto Rolfo (Honda) 45.14.993 a 147.447 Km/h.Second: Anthony West (Aprilia) + 14.040Third: Fonsi Nieto (Repsol Aprilia) + 33.511Fastest lap: Jaroslav Hules (Aprilia) 1.45.680 a 151.521 Km/h. 125Pole position: Stefano Perugini (Aprilia) 1.37.342 a 164.500 Km/h.Winner: Andrea Ballerini (Honda) 43.41.886 a 140.469 Km/h.Second: Masao Azuma (Honda) + 8.849Third: Steve Jenkner (Aprilia) + 14.187Fastest lap: Casey Stoner (Aprilia) 2.14.932 a 148.021 Km/h.