MotoGP – Preview Indianapolis – Melandri and Simoncelli looking for a good result

The San Carlo Honda Gresini Team and the MotoGP cross the Atlantic for the second time and take to the stage on the legendary Indianapolis circuit. Just over a month before the Laguna Seca event, Marco Melandri and Marco Simoncelli will be looking for a prestigious result on the track created inside the most famous "basin" in the world. The exhilarating NASCAR competitions and the INDY 500 leave room for a weekend of the world's two-wheelers. After the tough race in Brno Marco Melandri has regained confidence in himself and arrives in the capital of the state of Indiana more motivated. The test the day after the Czech Republic Grand Prix also gave the driver from Ravenna positive enthusiasm. Some technical solutions turned out to be interesting and the management of the new electronics is starting to send encouraging signs for the rest of the season. On the track where he triumphed last year in the 250 class, Marco Simoncelli is chasing a result that puts him behind the leaders. From the day of testing on the Brno circuit, "Super Sic" also drew positive indications from the electronics, finding an ever greater feeling with a technical component with great potential. An electronics which, if used to its best, can make it make a decisive leap in quality. The partial setback in Brno does not do justice to Marco Simoncelli and the constant progress he showed even in the first part of the race where he showed a determination equal to the best in the class.

Marco Melandri “After the disappointing tests on Friday and Saturday in Brno, the race on the Czech Republic circuit gave me some confidence back. In the second part I managed to find that right feeling with the bike which gave me greater enthusiasm to face Monday's tests with more conviction during which we made small but significant progress. By working on the suspensions we managed to obtain some positive feedback which gives us hope for the rest of the season. If we manage to work in Indianapolis with the same determination starting on Friday we will be able to achieve a good result in the race. The American circuit is quite difficult, you have to ride loosely, letting the bike flow a lot, so by managing to find the right harmony with my Honda RC212V I would like to get significantly closer to the leading group. ”

Marco Simoncelli “I left Brno somewhat disappointed with the final result but quite satisfied with the first part of the race. Unfortunately, the drop in engine power in the second part didn't allow me to be as fast and aggressive and this left a bad taste in my mouth. In any case, we did not lose heart and faced Monday's tests with great determination during which we managed to make important steps forward. Now we have more confidence with the electronics and are able to better interpret the important management of consumption. I'm sorry that the rain interrupted these decisive tests prematurely for me and my team. We also had interventions planned on the chassis which unfortunately we were unable to complete. However, I am going to Indianapolis with the right spirit, I like the track and on this circuit I won the first and only race held in the 250 class. This year I expect to have a positive race and be able to finish in the top six . ”

Fausto Gresini “We have pleasant memories of Indianapolis because last year Alex De Angelis took second place behind Jorge Lorenzo. It was the first podium in MotoGP for him and the second podium of the season for the San Carlo Honda Gresini Team after the one achieved by Toni Elias in Brno. So we go to America also comforted by this beautiful memory. Furthermore, we are convinced that after the tests done in Brno we can make an important step forward with both Marco Melandri and Marco Simoncelli. After the tests carried out on the Czech Republic circuit we have improved the set-up of the bike and are able to better manage the electronics package that we have had for two Grands Prix but which at the moment we had not yet managed to exploit its great potential. Naturally, there is still a lot of work to do but I am confident that we will soon be able to achieve important results. ”

Gresini Racing team