MotoGP – Press conference in Losail: Hayden warns Rossi

The "Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar", the first act of the 2007 MotoGP, officially kicked off today with the traditional pre-event press conference with the participation of five representatives of the manufacturers involved in MotoGP (excluding Ilmor). World Champion Nicky Hayden for Honda, Valentino Rossi for Yamaha, Stoner representing Ducati, De Puniet for Kawasaki and the returning Hopkins on behalf of Suzuki. Five expected protagonists of 2007 for one reason or another, but the attention of accredited journalists has rightly and dutifully turned towards the duelists of 2006, Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi. Not, according to many, this season's rivals: Daniel Pedrosa isn't in the press room, but it's as if he were there. Many questions were asked to the "Kentucky Kid" on the matter, whether his current teammate or his past teammate (Rossi) worries him more, and Nicky had no doubts about it. “Dani was very strong in the tests, but Valentino was always there. I know both of them well, I know that they will prove to be extremely competitive: what I can assure you is that I will give my best, I want to defend table #1. With the RC212V I had some problems at the beginning, true, but with each test I improved the feeling on the saddle. Maybe it's a little small for me, but that's not what worries me: I don't want to repeat the recent tests carried out here in February, they were a real disaster. A month has passed in the meantime, we have improved a lot, I feel ready".

So good, so watch out for Valentino because the good Nicky is always there and, contrary to what is said, his uncomfortable (for many reasons) teammate doesn't seem to weigh on him too much. “Finally the tests are over and we're starting to get serious”, Rossi said in the press conference. “I'm a little excited for yet another start to the season, I can assure you that I'm very excited. I didn't like the 800cc initially, but over time I saw how they are decidedly more usable bikes that are more suited to us. For the favourites, I see myself and Pedrosa, but only because of the progress of the tests: I think that in the end we will all be more or less close, so it's an open fight...".

Hayden and Rossi had their say, microphone at John Hopkins: how do you feel, is everything okay? “I still have a bit of pain in my right wrist but I will definitely be at the start of this GP”, his answer. “Injury and I don't think we are very competitive here in Losail and I aim to get a good result; compared to 2006, Suzuki has definitely improved, I really think we will get great satisfaction from it", concluded the Californian.

What does Stoner think about it, fresh from positive winter tests? “I'm really happy to be part of the Ducati family. The tests went well overall even if there were some problems. Losail is a track that I like, last year I took pole position and until a few laps from the finish line I was fighting for the podium. I hope to repeat myself".

Closing for Randy De Puniet, determined and willing to shine after a 2006 with few lights and many shadows. “Last year the injury at Le Mans (when he was hit at the start by Valentino Rossi, ed.) affected me a lot. I was getting more and more confident with the bike, I was fourth on the grid in my home GP when I got injured. It took some time to find the feeling with the bike again and be able to give my best. I'm fine now, the tests were positive and the Kawasaki 800cc has improved a lot. Entering the top ten is our minimum goal".

Enough talking now, tomorrow at 8:00 Italian time the first free practice session for MotoGP will start, the second at 11:50. Finally it really gets serious.

Alessio Piana