That was how, against a captivating background in Milan, JT International’s Senior Vice-President Marketing and Sales Roberto Zanni started out today with his presentation of the team that will have Max Biaggi and Makoto Tamada as its riders. "We achieved satisfactory results last year with the team’s 2nd place and Max Biaggi’s 3rd in the riders’ ratings," he added.

"This year we are going to be working even closer with Honda. They’ll be backing us all the way, so now we can only go for the title. And this is also because Max Biaggi has found a superb equilibrium, and he’s now gone back to that Biaggi who won four world titles."

After recalling the fact that Camel colours have won Grand Prix and titles with Senna, Mansell, Prost and Schumacher, Roberto Zanni concluded: "We’ve got everything ready for a possible victory in the MotoGP."

The agreement reached by Camel with Sito Pons for the second year running provides for the use of two Honda RC211V bikes that will have continuous assistance throughout the season – as the President of Honda, Suguru Kanazawa assured in a video-letter from Japan – and they will be adorned with the famous yellow-blue livery. They will be entrusted to Max Biaggi and Makoto Tamada. Biaggi will be using Michelin tyres, Tamada Bridgestone.

"The third place I won last year was just not enough for me", said Max Biaggi, who has come out top so far in this year’s circuit tests. The euphoria of the team is perfectly justified by these results. As far as I’m concerned, I feel relaxed and ready to fulfill the dreams of my fans right from the first race."

"I’m all ready to go, though I don’t feel under pressure," said Makoto Tamada. "I’ve been thinking about the world title since last year: I want to be number 1 not just in Japan but right round the world."

After the Milan showcase, the next rendezvous on track for the two RC211V Camel Honda machines is slated for 26/27/28 March at the IRTA tests in Catalunya.