Repsol YPF

Dani Pedrosa
“The tests done in Jerez will not be any use; they were good to get to know the bike though, and to work on the front wheel a bit more, wider than the Michelin. At Estoril you need a bike that brakes well and one which maintains a high level of grip on the back wheel during the whole race. This is a tough track from the riding point of view because you have to be very strong for the braking and the bumps, you need to have a lot of stamina. You have to be quite aggressive, but at the same time you have to stay relaxed so you do not wear yourself out during the race. The most important part of the track is the final curve – it is very long and affects your speed along the whole of the following straight – this is important to set good times. The surface is not in the best conditions – it is bumpy and slippery – but I like the atmosphere, it is 100% Spanish!”

Nicky Hayden
“We hope things are going on the right track now. Jerez was not bad, good enough to give us motivation for Estoril where we want to carry on fighting to be up with the leaders. This is a circuit from the old school, a bit strange as it is very wide. It may be fun or it may be a torture. There is a small chicane and is probably the slowest curve in MotoGP, But I like the right-hander towards the back straight, which is quite fast and exciting. And I really like the final curve that takes you to the main straight; when the bike is going well and you take this curve it can be great fun. Obviously you need power because the next straight goes on forever. You also need something to get through the twisty sections. Another thing; there are more right-handers here so you need tyres with softer compounds on the left hand side.”

Julián Simón
“After Jerez the first thing I did was to take a look at the problems I still have with my right arm and to do all I can to recover and to get better sensations. The circuit is suited to the KTM. Last year the bike broke but it demonstrated that it could be up at the front. I think we will have a chance to do things better. Estoril has always been kind to me, I ride fast there and the team is dying to race. In Jerez, in spite of the final result, we did some good work and so we can really look forward to this race.”

Esteve Rabat
“I can`t wait for Estoril because after the disasters in Qatar and Jerez, as well as the pre-season, I want to put all this behind me and start to get good results. In first place, for myself, but also for the team because they are working hard and I want to compensate their great efforts. Let`s see how things go, I am dying to race there and it is a circuit I like a lot.”

Marc Márquez
“I am dying to ride in Portugal becauuse it was a shame not being able to make my debut in the first two races. But I have made big efforts to recover from my injury and I really want to start this new era for me in Estoril, I hope to be in the best possible conditions, although I know that I will not be 100%. The doctors say that I can start because the bone has healed and I have enough strength to ride the bike.”

4/10/2008

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