Rider´s comments and 2003 data

Sebastián Porto: ‘I hope to finish the year in the best possible way, and that means winning in Valencia as well’.
MotoGP. Alex Barros: Im still confident of my possibilities and I get to every race believing that I can win; I have to make it. I still remember the last race two seasons ago where I had an intense fight with Valentino and finally took the victory. I have the same feeling and the same hunger to get on the track and win. Weve been trying it throughout the season, but we havent been lucky. I like the layout in Valencia and its fantastic to race in front all those people, surrounded by such a festive atmosphere. I know that the fight for the championship is over, but I feel proud and although it is impossible to move up in the overall standings I dont want to give up my fourth overall place in the last race. As always, Ill be giving 100% throughout the weekend.  MotoGP. Nicky Hayden: I just cant believe were already in the last race of the season; this year has passed so fast… The Grand Prix in Valencia last year seems to be so close. I have good and bad memories of that weekend. The good thing is that I managed to get a place on the front row of the MotoGP starting grid for the first time, and the bad thing is that I crashed at the beginning of the race. Thats where my hopes of scoring some points were over. This year didnt work out as expected. Every rider wants to improve year after year, but this season has really been hard for me. There have been improvements, such as the front row starts and a larger number of podium finishes compared to last year, but Im not as high in the standings as I would like and Im still trying to get my first pole position and my first victory. I have a great group of mechanics around me and were going to give it all in the last race of the year.  MotoGP. Rubén Xaus: Cheste is a delicate circuit for MotoGP bikes, because they are really powerful machines. The kind of corners and the short straights make you loose traction and the front tyre move up easily. Youre constantly skidding so the races are usually in group. The most important of all is that its a home race for me where you can feel spectators supporting you and almost giving you wings. This is going to be very important, because I would also like to finish tenth overall in the Championship. Its the last race of the year and its time to forget everything and finish the season in style. 250. Fonsi Nieto: Valencia is a track I a like a lot and we will also be racing with the support and the warmth of the Spanish fans. This is a quite technical circuit where the rider plays a very important role. The layout is really tiring for the rider and you have to work hard on the bikes set-up. Everything has to be perfect to be able to make a good race. Luck hasnt been on my side this year, but Im in high spirits for this Grand Prix despite everything. I would like to get a good result in front of all the Spanish fans. Lets see if luck gets on our side once and for all. 250. Sebastián Porto: I hope to finish the year in the best possible way, and that means winning in Valencia as well. Finishing with a result like this would be fantastic. I know its going to be difficult, because were in Spain and Dani will be racing at home. But weve also made a good preseason on this track and were not going to make things easy for him. Well try to work as we did in Australia. Winning the championship was difficult, because our only option was Dani not scoring in some of the races. But, Im satisfied anyway because this has been my best season. 125. Pablo Nieto: You always have some kind of advantage when you race at home. The fans push you in an impressive way and despite it being a huge pressure, Im sure that well be able to do a good race. The secret will be in getting a good setting for the Aprilia from Friday, to be able to prepare the race conscientiously. Lets see if we manage to get on the podium. 125. Sergio Gadea: Im very happy with the way Im finishing the season. I could have got a better place in Australia, but, anyway, tenth isnt bad at all. Now were going to Valencia, a track I like a lot and where well be counting on the fans from Valencia and from all over Spain. Ive also lapped a lot on this track and Im convinced that were going to do a great job if we manage to tune the bike well from the first day.  The venue of the GP: Cheste circuitThe Comunidad de Valencia circuit was completed in 1999 and hosted its first Grand Prix as well as the first rounds of the Spanish Motorcycle Championship in the same year. Named Circuito Ricardo Tormo in 2002, after the former world champion born in Valencia, this track is characterised by its twisty corners giving priority to the bikes power. The Comunitat Valenciana Grand Prix is held on a 4 km track comprising eight right-hand and ten left-hand corners, and a 876 metre straight, all of them especially designed in order to let the riders have as much compensation as possible during the race. The layout runs anticlockwise as opposed to most of the other circuits of the championship calendar. The main building comprises forty-eight garages and the large stadium style grandstand can seat up to 150,000 spectators. Jorge Martínez, Aspar, former World Champion and one of the fathers of this circuit, collaborated in the design of Spains only left-handed circuit, with a unique atmosphere enjoyed by riders and the especially enthusiastic Valencian fans alike.. Official Web:http://www.circuitvalencia.com Alex Barros comments: ‘Its a track that attracts lots of fans and where Ive already had very good results. I like it a lot despite being a medium-low speed circuit. Temperature plays an important role because it changes a lot and makes you feel the tyre wear. The right choice of the tyres is the key for the race.’ Valencia GP 2003 results MotoGP Pole position: Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda)1.32.478 a 155.907 Km/h.Winner: Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda) 47.13.078 a 152.674 Km/h.Second: Loris Capirossi (Ducati) + 0681.Third: Sete Gibernau (Honda) + 11.221.Fastest lap: Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda) 1.33.317 a 154.505 Km/h. 250Pole position: Randy de Puniet (Aprilia) 1.36.499 a 149.410 Km/h.Winner: Randy de Puniet (Aprilia) 44.01.924 a 147.349 Km/h.Second: Toni Elias (Repsol Aprilia) + 0.072.Third: Manuel Poggiali (Aprilia) + 12.810.Fastest lap: Toni Elias (Repsol Aprilia) 1.36.840 a 148.884 Km/h. 125Pole position: Alex de Angelis (Aprilia) 1.40.440 a 143.548 Km/h.Winner: Casey Stoner (Aprilia) 40.27.662 a  142.537 Km/h.Second: Steve Jenkner (Aprilia) + 0.268.Third: Héctor Barberá (Aprilia) + 1.101.Fastest lap: Steve Jenkner (Aprilia) 1.40.253 a 143.816 Km/h.