Valencia GP. Repsol driver´s comments

Rossi: ‘Im hoping to end the season on a high’.
Valentino Rossi: Im hoping to end the season on a high. I was very happy with the result in Phillip Island after a disappointing couple of GPs where we had trouble with the bike. The team worked really hard and I had a good feeling riding again. We tested at Valencia back in August so have got some set-up data that I hope will give us some advantage from the beginning for the weekend. Valencia is a circuit I havent had much luck at. Last year the rain came and we could only manage 11th, the year before in my first season on the 500cc I didnt make the finish and the year before when I won the 250cc title I only got eighth; my worst finish of the year. It would be good to change this trend weekend. Tohru Ukawa: Im looking forward to Valencia. We had a good two day test there in August and put in around 150 laps so have got some useful data although it was hot – an air temp of around 32 degrees and a track temp of 40 – so in November much of what we learnt may not be on much use! Im really focused on re-taking the second slot in the championship that Ive held for most of the season. I have some good memories from Valencia on the 250. A win in 1999. What an end to the season a win would be! It was great to get back onto the podium at Phillip Island; the first time since Estoril. Im aiming for a higher step at Valencia with Biaggi on one below! Fonsi Nieto: Weve already lost the Championship but Im longing to get to Cheste, because there is nothing like racing at home in front of all the Spanish fans. I wanted the title to be decided at home, but unfortunately it hasnt been possible. Now I only want to get the victory in Cheste. The balance of the year is very positive, Ive got the vice-championship title in my first year on an official bike, I got four victories, nine poles and I think that this is something to be happy about. I hope to clinch the victory in Valencia to be able to finish the year in high spirits. Toni Elias: This year has been both very positive and hard, because the team had to adapt to my way of working and I had to adapt to the Aprilia. The balance is very good, Ive had both good and bad times, but Ive learned a lot along the year and I didnt expect to get where I got in my rookie year in this category. Now we have Cheste, which I like a lot because we are at home, counting on the support of all the Spanish public. Last year I took the pole in the 125 cc and after leading throughout the race I lost the victory only a couple of meters before the finish line. It will be difficult to win here because Melandri will be wanting to reconfirm the Championship title he got at the Australian GP and Fonsi will also be looking for the victory to have a good finish of the season. Dani Pedrosa: Last year I managed to finish third in Valencia. Id like to improve that position this year and given the fact, that this is the last race of the season, I think that it would be the best way to finish the season in front of our fans. I like this circuit, it has a lot of corners and is therefore demanding and you find yourself almost always inclining the bike. Suspensions and tyres will be the determining factors, although we do not expect high temperatures in Valencia in November. This is the last year and I would like to say good bye to the season with a good result in my home country. Joan Olivé: The result in Australia, despite not being the one I was looking for, was closer to the results I wanted to get and it has cheered me up to arrive in Valencia in high spirits, looking forward to get a good result at home, in front of my family, friends and fans. Last year I finished tenth and I hope to be able to significantly improve that result this season. Racing at home is always an extra incentive and an additional motivation.