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2007-03-07 MotoGP: More pre-Qatar claims
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 Just few days before 2007 MotoGP season starts at Losail circuit, we are bringing more rider pre-race claims. This time, you may read thoughts of Ducati Marlboro riders, Honda riders from satelitte teams and Ilmor riders. Read more about their expectations from MotoGP season opener.
Loris Capirossi:
This year is so important for me because I know I don't have too many more seasons in me, maybe one, maybe two, maybe more, I'm not sure. So I am more determined than ever to do my best and the first race is very important. It is great that we were able to test at Qatar only a few weeks ago. We made some good preparations during those tests with some good long runs, so I think we are ready to fight for the podium at this race. The track is okay for our style of bike and tyres. The big thing you really need for this race is good feeling from the front tyre, so we've had to work very hard on that for Qatar. You also need good agility for all the direction changes - and the GP7 is more agile than last year's GP6.
Casey Stoner:
I couldn't be happier with the team, everyone gets on great and the bike has got better and better at every track we've been to. It's looking very competitive and the tyres are looking great as well. The tests we did at Qatar last month were very positive, so I'm feeling quite confident going into this race. I've had some good races in the past there, so it could be good for us. We were okay with tyres in the test, we ran a good race pace. The only thing with Qatar is the track surface, it can be pretty changeable, one day the track is fast, the next day it can be slow. It's not the most exciting track, it's very flat, with not enough camber on the corners, and most of it is average corners flowing together. It can be good for racing though, you normally get a nice little battle up front.
Marco Melandri:
I’m really fired up for the start of the new season. We’ve done a lot of preparation during the winter, working methodically, focusing on race pace as opposed to a single fast lap. I like the bike a lot, especially the cycle parts, I’ve got a good feeling with it and I’m having fun again. I’ve got a lot of confidence in the Honda-Bridgestone package and I’m happy even though there is still work to do. The race will be particularly demanding because the Losail circuit has a long straight and you need horsepower. At least in the test we completed there in February we worked out which way we want to go with the race tyre.
Toni Elias:
I can’t wait to get back on track for the first race. I’m really happy to be back with Fausto Gresini, my chief mechanic Cecchini and all the guys in the team. I really believe in continuity and I feel comfortable and well supported here. We’re working to find a base that has the best possible balance between the bike and the new tyres that Bridgestone brought to Jerez to suit my riding style. Losail is a tough track because the conditions mean there is no room for error. We tested here in the middle of February but this time I want to get more out of the bike’s potential with these new tyres.
Carlos Checa:
I feel very excited about this first Grand Prix of the season. Lucio and his team made a great job during the winter and now we are ready to start. The winter tests have been very productive for us as we gathered important data for the World Championship. Honestly at the beginning it was not easy to adapt to the new bike but thanks to some changes (we moved the seat back and changed the height of the bars) now I feel more comfortable. We still have a few things to fix including the engine power (especially on this track which is pretty fast!) but I am confident for the future.
Shinya Nakano:
I’m looking forward to the first race of the season at Qatar. I have a new Team and a new package with the Honda RC212V and Michelin tyres. We have completed four tests over the winter and we’re maybe 80% there so I’m looking at making the other 20% up during the race weekend. I enjoy the Losail track, although it isn’t one of my favourites, but testing here showed that our bike suited the track perhaps more than Phillip Island or Sepang, so let’s hope that is the case come the race on Saturday.
Kenny Roberts:
The main thing is that we’re ahead of where we were last year in terms of work done and base set-ups. Once we’ve got the chassis settings where we need them we’ll concentrate on tyres again and then refine the front-end and rear settings for the conditions on Saturday. It’ll be good to get racing again and see just how far we’ve come since 2006.
Andrew Pitt:
I’m looking forward to heading back to Qatar, we made good progress during testing out there in February and I like the track. Obviously I’m looking forward to trying out the new engine upgrade, we should have more peak power which should be interesting. After the test in Jerez, I feel more confident, on Saturday I had a good consistent run-out, I did around 22 laps consecutively and made reasonable lap times - consistency is the key during a race so I’m feeling hopeful for the race.
Jeremy McWilliams:
I can’t wait for the first race – it will be great once the lights go green – there’s so much anticipation and nerves before the first race of any season so it’ll be good to get it out of the way! My only slight worry is that due to my accident in Jerez last November I haven’t had as much time on the bike as I would have liked. Physically I feel good, my leg is still a little weak but my upper body is really strong and once I’m on the bike I forget about my leg. Losail is a great circuit to ride, it’s really technical and quite complicated to ride well so I’m looking forward to the challenge. Let’s see what we can do.
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