Catalunya GP. Preview. Driver´s comments

Valentino Rossi: Mugello was great and we had a good battle with Loris and Max. I think it will be the same racing in Barcelona and we will also see Sete’.
MotoGP. Valentino Rossi: ‘For me, Barcelona is my favourite circuit. The last two rights coming onto the start finish straight are the best corners and we arrive in a good position in the championship. For sure the racing is very hard and we make a good show. Mugello was great and we had a good battle with Loris and Max. I think it will be the same racing in Barcelona and we will also see Sete. He is in good shape and he wil want to make a good race in front of his home fans. The team is working well and the bike is good – we are in good shape and must keep up the hard work. We could see how competitive everyone was in the tests back in March. It was like the 17th GP. Now we look forward to this weekend and racing for points!’MotoGP. Nicky Hayden: ‘I’m really looking forward to racing at Barcelona. The weekend we’ve just had at Mugello was not so good and I’m real happy to get back on a bike quick – sittin’ around ain’t no good. I just want to get out there; spending more time on the bike and working with the team. We tested at the circuit earlier in the year and had a pretty good result first time out there – 13th fastest I think. We gotta good foundation to build on. I’m gettin a whole load of good advice and help from the team and from Mick (Doohan) and Tady (Okada) – we always knew it was gonna take time – but like a racer I guess I want everything now! Just gotta take it step at a time and keep my head down and keep learnin’.’250. Toni Elias: ‘I’m happy to race here in Montmeló, because I feel like at home. Here are my friends, my family and all the fans supporting me, and therefore this is a special Grand Prix for me. Although Montmeló is not one of my favourite circuits, I feel very confident riding here, because I know that I can count on the support of all the people coming to see me. I’m in very high spirits right now, because after the problems we had in Italy, I know that Jorge, Aprilia, Jan Witteveen and my team are working very hard to find solutions. I fully trust in them and I hope to be leaving with a good result in my pocket.’250. Fonsi Nieto: ‘The podium finish in Italy has given me a lot of energy to get to this race. We’ve had a lot of problems since the beginning of the season and now it seems that we’re finding the way. I’m really looking forward to racing in Barcelona, in front of our fans. Montmeló is a circuit I like a lot, last year I finished third and took the pole. We’re not at a 100% with regard to the settings yet, but we have improved a lot and I’m sure that here I’ll be back in the front, fighting for the leading positions. Just as in Italy, it’s going to be a hard race due to the heat, but the fact of racing at home is always an extra incentive.’125. Dani Pedrosa: ‘This race is very special for me because I’ll be racing very near to my hometown, so I’ll be counting on the close support of my family, friends and fans. But at the same time I know that I have to keep calm and a cool head, because it’s a long season, it has just started and sometimes it’s necessary to think with your head, not letting yourself go listening to your heart. Last year I missed the victory for only some thousands of a second here and after what happened in Jerez I’d love to offer a good result to all of the fans.’