Comunitat Valenciana GP. Preview

Valencia closes a vibrating 2003 season
With the 250cc title yet to be decided, two Repsol riders have already been crowned World Champions
On November 2nd, the 2003 season will come to its end at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia. With Valentino Rossi and Dani Pedrosa already crowned World Champions in their respective classes, the third Spanish round of the championship will decide who is the rider to clinch the 250cc world title, Manuel Poggiali or Roberto Rolfo; Aprilia or Honda. Toni Elias, with no further options to fight for the title after the Australian Grand Prix, will try to compensate the deception with a victory in front of his fans, the best way to see the 2003 season off. And that is exactly the same idea of his teammate Fonsi Nieto, who after a difficult season, will have in Valencia his last chance to shine in front of the Spanish crowd. Sebastián Porto will have the personal challenge of taking his Honda to the podium, something he has been fighting for very hard throughout the season, and both Héctor Faubel and Joan Olivé will try to repeat the excellent performance of Brazil, where they finished sixth and seventh respectively.In the MotoGP class, the title has already been awarded to Repsol rider Valentino Rossi, while the second place is already in the hands of Sete Gibernau. The Repsol Honda Team is now looking forward to another fight for the victory by Rossi and a further step forward by Nicky Hayden in his ascent to the leading positions in his class. After his brilliant third place finish at the Australian Grand Prix, the young Repsol rider will with no doubt be trying to close the season with a new podium finish in Valencia, where he has already been testing during the preseason.In the minor category, the Repsol colours will be represented in Valencia by Pablo Nieto and Héctor Barberá. Dani Pedrosa, who returned to Spain last Monday, is back home and will be starting his recovery process in only a couple of weeks. Both Pablo Nieto, third at the Valencian circuit last season, and Héctor Barberá, who will be racing at home and has mathematical options to finish runner-up of the season, will be two members of the large group of favourites who will be fighting for the victory on Sunday at the last 125cc race of the season.