The San Carlo Honda Gresini Team has today officially launched its 2009 MotoGP campaign. The team, led by two-time 125cc world champion Fausto Gresini, took off on its 2009 journey at the ‘Officine del Volo’ in Milan.
Fausto Gresini and Alberto Vitaloni, President of San Carlo Gruppo Alimentare, carried out the honours and presented the 2009 team line-up.
Riders Alex De Angelis and Toni Elias will assume riding duties for the Faenza-based squad this year with De Angelis continuing for a second season and Elias rejoining the Honda Gresini family after one year of absence. The San Marinese and the Spaniard unveiled the new liveries on their 2009-spec RC212V machines, emblazoned with the logo of title sponsor San Carlo.
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Numerous personalities from the world of two wheels were present, including Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta , Honda Italia President Yasuhiro Oyama and the Italian Motorcycle Federation President Paolo Sesti.
Fausto Gresini, Team Manager:
“Presenting a new season is always full of emotion. 2009 will be an important year for the San Carlo Honda Gresini Team, a MotoGP season which promises to be exciting and competitive and for which we are prepared to assume a leading role. I believe firmly in the potential of my riders. Alex has accumulated vital experience having a complete MotoGP season under his belt, while Toni returns to the team with a wealth of expertise himself. At our side, we have HRC who have carried out excellent work in preparation of the 2009-spec RC212V and who will guarantee technical support of the highest level to the San Carlo Honda Gresini Team throughout the entire season, both for the ‘satellite’ bike entrusted to Alex as well as for Toni’s factory-spec bike. I wish the riders and all the guys in the team the very best of luck. Naturally I would also like to say special thanks to all our partners who have believed in our projects over many years, especially San Carlo with whom we share values such as passion, love for competition, loyalty and team spirit.”
Alberto Vitaloni, President of San Carlo Gruppo Alimentare
“In 2006 San Carlo began a new marketing strategy revolving around big sporting events because sport is a communications vehicle and a media in its own right that utilises a universal language, capable of involving the spectators. Our choice was very targeted, looking at disciplines with a good and clean image, with a growing audience and which are close to youngsters. From here our meeting with MotoGP was born: it is a sport of extremely high technology and innovation but with the ability to speak to the heart. We want to communicate to our public, above all to young people, the message that a company as well-known as ours knows how to adapt to changing times and to promote new tendencies in order to always stay ahead in a highly competitive world. In Fausto Gresini’s team, we have found a partner we can rely on and above all a partner with whom we share a synergy of aims, values and a shared passion for sport.”
Toni Elias:
“The 2009 season gives me the opportunity to rejoin Fausto’s team, something that also gives me great joy. I find a group of people who have a great human and technical richness. I remember fondly the two seasons that we enjoyed together, so it is a bit like coming home. I want to thank HRC for believing in me and all the sponsors of the San Carlo Honda Gresini Team who make this project a reality. We all have the same desire to achieve big goals…and from my side I will give my all to realising this dream.”
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Alex De Angelis:
“I am approaching this new challenge with great enthusiasm. It will be an even tougher championship than last season, but I feel much stronger in myself. Now I have the experience of one year in MotoGP and the new RC212V is definitely competitive, above all with regard to the engine power. I aim to improve upon my results, I am not content with the two fourth positions that I scored last year. I’d like to give heart-felt thanks to the team, to San Carlo and to all the other sponsors who have placed their trust in us.
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