French Grand Prix: Hard Day For Alice Team Riders At Le Mans
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May 17, 2008
Hard day of work for the Alice Team riders, Toni Elias and Sylvain Guintoli, who are working intensively to solve the problems that are limiting their performances. The Alice Team pair, despite the improvements registered lap after lap, it didn’t make it to take the necessary step in this weekend, after the discreet performances done in China by Toni Elias, where he concluded in eight position. The Spanish rider has finished in fourteenth position in the last fast lap at his disposal, positioning in front of Alex de Angelis, his teammate Guintoli, Marco Melandri and Anthony West.
In honour of the Alice Grand Prix of France, the Alice Team bike will have a “special dress” tomorrow, with the French flag colours, blue, white and red, on the livery. An extra motivation for French rider Sylvain Guintoli, who will try his best to don’t disappoint his supporters.
Fabiano Sterlacchini – Technical Director
“We have tried many things, both in the morning and afternoon. Some modifications have given us good results, allowing us to have a 1’35.500 rhythm in the afternoon session with Toni. We need to improve by half of a second to make it to be with the top ten riders. Toni is looking for the right confidence with the bike. We know it’s not easy, but we believe to be able to help him to give his best soon.”
Toni Elias – Alice Team rider (14th best lap time in 1’34.561 – Total laps 23)
“I am stubborn and I don’t give up. Today we have improved, but surely not enough to be competitive. The Team is working well, but in the weekend of race is not possible to make big improvements. We must use the time at our disposal to try different tyres and the adjustments for the race. The weather forecast are changing hour after hour, but I hope there will be a dry race tomorrow to allow me to get used to my Ducati even more.”
Sylvain Guintoli – Alice Team rider (16th best lap time in 1’34.747 – Total laps 26)
“We are too far from the firsts. I am still trying to adapt to the bike. It’s not easy, especially on this circuit. In tomorrow warm up we must complete as many laps as possible. The race can be really strange here. If I start well, I can try to stay with the fastest riders. Moreover, the weather changes really quick here, even if the forecast indicates a dry race for the afternoon.”
