With barely enough time to rest in between Marco Simoncelli heads directly from Barcelona to Silverstone this week in search of an elusive first MotoGP podium. The Grand Prix of Catalunya on Sunday saw the Italian youngster start from pole position for the first time in the premier class and he is now looking to consolidate his podium promise at a circuit where he first confirmed his place amongst the top riders in the class last year. After making a mistake in Barcelona that also ended the race for Randy De Puniet, Hiroshi Aoyama travels to Silverstone looking to put the Spanish race firmly behind him. He doesn’t have good memories of the British circuit, having been the victim of a heavy crash there last year that kept him out of action for six races. However, that is simply another episode for Hiroshi to put right at Silverstone this weekend as he aims to get back on the points trail.
Marco Simoncelli: “Obviously after starting from pole position I was a little disappointed to finish sixth in Barcelona but overall it was a good weekend for us because of the pace and character we showed. The race could have gone better but we have the chance to put that right this weekend at Silverstone. I really enjoyed the track last year, when I took my first big step forward in terms of being competitive in this class. Now we go there with a top result as the only goal. I am ready and I can’t wait to step out onto a MotoGP podium for the first time. Hopefully it will be onto the top step.”
Hiroshi Aoyama: “After the crash in Barcelona, when I also took out Randy De Puniet through no fault of his own, I go to Silverstone determined to make up for it. Unfortunately I only have bad memories of the track because it was here last year that I had a crash that ruled me out for six races. That is another thing I want to put behind me and the way to do that is by having a good Grand Prix this weekend. We have the potential to do well so we will do our best to pick up as many points as possible and move up in the championship.”
Fausto Gresini: “Barcelona provided us with a mixture of emotions but the overriding one is pride that we have Marco with us because he is going through an extraordinary spell of form. After two difficult weeks Marco showed his true character in Spain and a podium would have been no less than he deserved, although it will surely come soon – maybe at Silverstone. The team is working hard to put him on the same terms as the best in the class and try to turn that potential into a result as soon as possible. We are satisfied with the fantastic support we are getting from Honda and we are sure that together with them and our other partners, who have all shown such belief in this project, we can reap great rewards. I was disappointed for Hiroshi Aoyama, whose crash interrupted a series of positive results, but I think he will have the chance at Silverstone to put that and the bad memories of last year behind him.”
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