After a his stunning performance at Motegi, where he managed to finish fourth despite a ride- through penalty, Team San Carlo Honda Gresini rider Marco Simoncelli heads to Australia in high spirits. In recent races “Super Sic” has discovered the consistency that he was missing at the start of the season and he is ready to finish the campaign in style. A test on board the RC213V machine that he will ride next year provided another boost at Motegi and after a short holiday he can’t wait to get back out on track at Phillip Island. The Australian circuit is a favourite of his, having won there in 2008 and 2009 on a 250 and qualifying on the second row in fourth place in MotoGP last year. Hiroshi Aoyama had a disappointing home race at Motegi, suffering grip problems in the race that prevented him from his exploiting his full potential. The Japanese rider is hoping for a turnaround in fortunes this weekend.
Marco Simoncelli
“After a bittersweet Grand Prix at Motegi I had the opportunity to test the RC213V, the bike I will be riding in Team San Carlo Honda Gresini colours next year. It was an amazing experience - 50 laps of pure adrenaline. The bike is so much fun and it keeps pulling in fifth and sixth gear. I gave some feedback to the HRC engineers that will hopefully be taken into consideration before the next test at Valencia. Before travelling down to Phillip Island I have had a short break on the exotic island of Boracay in the Philippines. It gave me the opportunity to relax and also work on the launch of my new website www.58marcosimoncelli.it. Now I am feeling motivated and ready to fight again at Phillip Island. At Motegi I was able to see once again that I can fight with the guys at the front and at a circuit where I won 250 races in 2008 and 2009 I want to show it. I was lacking some race consistency but we have addressed that and if it wasn’t for the jump start at Motegi I would have been fighting for the podium, so that is something I want to make up for at Phillip Island.”
Hiroshi Aoyama
“I really wanted to score a positive result at my home Grand Prix but I didn’t manage it. We had some grip problems that prevented me from being consistent in the race which was a real shame in front of my home fans. Now we go to Phillip Island, a circuit I love as long as the weather isn’t too cold. If the conditions are good I enjoy riding there and I particularly like the atmosphere in Australia. I am desperate to have a full Grand Prix weekend where I show my true potential and hopefully along with the team we can create the right conditions to achieve it. We only have three races left so that is all the motivation we need.”
Fausto Gresini
“If it wasn’t for the ride through Marco would definitely have been on the podium at Motegi. It was a shame but the consistency he has shown in races recently shows that he is ready for any challenge. I am very happy with his form and delighted that we will be working with him again next year with the full support of HRC. His determination to improve is extraordinary and I was really pleased that HRC gave him the opportunity to test the RC213V that he will ride in Team San Carlo Honda Gresini colours next year. It was a fantastic and positive experience for him and he was very impressed with the bike. Marco will go to Phillip Island in good spirits and highly motivated to do well at a circuit where he has already won races in 250. I hope Phillip Island also gives Hiroshi a chance to make up for his disappointment at Motegi, when he was unable to secure the result he was hoping for in front of his home crowd. Hiroshi has the potential to be a leading rider in MotoGP but maybe he is missing the required determination.”
