Team Previews – Catalunya
250cc
Álvaro Bautista:
“Racing in Spain is always special because you can feel the energy and the support of the fans and it gives you an extra boost compared to other circuits. Arriving here as the series leader gives me a lot of confidence and determination to put on a good show. I’d like to win because we haven’t done so since Japan and I think the team and myself are all willing ourselves to victory again. We’ll do a good job during practice to make sure that we can be fighting for victory come Sunday. Last year we came here after a disastrous start to the season and we needed a good result so I was really careful in the race. I wanted to win but I was trying so hard to close the doors in the corners I ran wide and conceded victory. Montmeló is a fast circuit, similar to Mugello although with a few more slow sections. It is not one of my favourites but it’s a nice place and the fans always contribute to make for a special atmosphere.”
Mike Di Meglio:
“Montmeló is a circuit I like a lot and I hope I can have a good result there. I imagine I’ll still get a few problems from my arm but at least I should be able to feel the benefit of the operation. I’m really pleased that I’ll have the Aprilia RSA for this race and I’m looking forward to starting work on it. It will be my first time on this bike so it will be a case of gradually getting a feel for it and getting used to the differences. My objective, as always, will be to continue improving, which I guess won’t be easy this week because I’ve just had an operation and I’m riding a completely new bike to me but I’m motivated because I know they are both things that will help me in the long term. I’m in a unique position and I want to make the most of it. I’ve got great memories of this circuit because I won here last year so hopefully it can be lucky for me again.”
125cc
Bradley Smith:
“Being leader of the championship is an incredible feeling. I think we’ve had five fantastic races and things are going really well for us. The Aprilia is working perfectly and that makes my feeling with the bike better every time I ride it. Next weekend in Barcelona we’ll have another opportunity to do well and I’m looking forward to getting to Montmeló and continuing to work hard. I suppose if we do that then there’s no reason to think that we can’t stay on top of the championship. Montmeló is the first circuit I rode at outside of England and it holds special memories for me. I’ve done a lot of laps there and I know it well, although unfortunately I had a nasty crash, so hopefully this time can be different. I love T4 in particular because it’s a part of the track where you can really make up a lot of time.”
Julián Simón:
“I have an extra motivation to do well in this second home race of the season. We’re coming on the back of a victory at Le Mans and third place at Mugello, results which have left us in a good position in the championship, and I think we can keep up the positive trend at Montmeló. The team are doing a phenomenal job and it is good to see it paying off. The Catalunya Grand Prix is another nice opportunity for us to win in our home country at a circuit I know perfectly so I’ll be doing everything I can to reward the fans with a win. We’ll have to work hard but if we continue putting as much energy and confidence into the job as we have been doing up to now then we’ll have a great chance. Having said that I have to be careful not to make the same mistake as Jerez and be mindful of the fact that the most important thing is to bring home as many points as possible.”
Sergio Gadea:
“I’m really looking forward to Montmeló because it is a circuit that has generally been good to me in the past. I’m sure with the form we’re in this year we can run at the front again. The result at Mugello was a shame because we were really strong in practice but the bike didn’t perform as we’d hoped in the race and we couldn’t finish off the weekend in a successful way. Generally speaking though I am still very happy with the way the team is working and I’m confident because I know we can be back on it in Barcelona. It’s our home race and I want to score a good result for the crowd, even though as usual the first target is the top five and a solid points haul.”
