2012 Aragon MotoGP | Pre-Race Conference

2012 Motorland Aragon MotoGP

The traditional MotoGP pre-race conference got underway Thursday for the Grand Premio Iveco de Aragon, round 14 of 18 in the 2012 schedule.

The lineup of riders taking questions from the journalist were Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo, Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa, Monster Tech 3 Yamaha’s Cal Crutchlow, Ducati Team’s Valentino Rossi, and San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Alvaro Bautista.

Lorenzo, who is currently 38-points ahead of Repsol Honda Team’s Pedrosa, is cautious not to get carried away and highlighted that racing is not just about points.

Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing YZR-M1 MotoGP) says: “There are five more races until the end and 125 points to take, and yes, the situation is much better than before Misano. But there is still a lot of pressure, so we have to be concentrated in every practice and every session. For me it’s not very comfortable [thinking about points]; I don’t like to think about the points and mathematics. I like to go fast.”

The Spaniard, who undertook a private test at Aragón before the Misano round with Yamaha along with the Repsol Honda team, said that it was important to gain further information on the track.

Jorge Lorenzo says: “It’s quite new [the circuit], so we don’t have a lot of information like we do at other tracks. [The test] was a big help, for getting the right setting for the bike.”

Pedrosa, who’s race in Misano was cut short due to being taken out in the first set of corners is keen to put those thoughts behind him, and, like Lorenzo, does not want to dwell on points alone.

Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda RC213V MotoGP) says: “The past is in the past. If you stick in the past, you can’t move forward. I’m trying to keep focussed on every session, every lap. We hope the bike is working well. I like to enjoy my riding, but obviously the championship is there. It is not such a good feeling when you only think about the points.”

Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Crutchlow is also looking to put his Misano weekend behind him, and get back to the good run of form that saw him take the podium in Brno.

Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YZR-M1 MotoGP) says: “I don’t think Misano could have gone any worse. The next race will be crucial. If I do well here we’ll head into the next races [triple header] with confidence. We’re trying to take positives from the last race.”

And speaking about the Aragón track, the British rider said: “It seems a difficult circuit for me, I don’t know why. I could have done with a test here, but we were unable to come [when the Yamaha and Honda factories tested here].”

Ducati Team’s Rossi, fresh from his second place finish in Misano, is keen to verify the team’s progress once he heads out on track.

Valentino Rossi (Ducati Team GP12 MotoGP) says: “It is a big test for us this weekend to understand our level a bit better. We have to see here, and in the next four races, if it was a step forward. I like this track, but it’s difficult to go fast. I need to improve my line and my style.”

With regards to the post-Misano test he carried out with the team the Italian commented: “We found something that I didn’t like, but also something that is better.”

San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Álvaro Bautista, who scored his first ever podium in the last race, would welcome a continuation of this form, and will test some parts in practice to help him achieve this.

Alvaro Bautista (San Carlo Honda Gresini RC213V MotoGP) says: “For sure it’s a big test. But the weather forecast is not the best to test our new Showa parts. I will again try and stay in the fight for the podium. In the past I did two good races here, but I’m on a new bike with new suspension now.”

Much speculation has surrounded the Spaniard’s future with the team next season, to which he said: “At the moment I can’t say anything about next year. Nothing is clear.”