MotoGP 2004 - Round 7 - Rio - Camel Honda Preview

After a weekend in Holland dealing with the ups and downs of both the changeable weather and the team’s luck, the Camel Honda team fly to Rio de Janeiro this week hoping for clear skies to be able to make the most of all four practice sessions before the race. After big improvements in the set-up of Max Biaggi’s RC211V, which in Holland allowed the Roman star to battle superbly for the podium after some tough practice sessions, the objective is simply to keep making steps forward. Equally for Makoto Tamada, who took a first MotoGP podium in Brazil last year, and is expecting nothing less than repeating the feat.

Sito Pons – Camel Honda (Team Principal) - “The Rio race is really important for us, because it comes after two races where despite a few problems the team has been able to react quickly and successfully, keeping all our options open with Max. Our objective in Rio is to get back the positive rhythm we had going in the first four races of the year and to fight for victory once more. The weather could once again be a factor, with it being the winter months currently in Brazil but if it is clear, conditions will be perfect, with temperatures not too cold and not too hot. Last year Makoto took his best result of the year, Max up to now, misfortunes aside, has done some great races there: so we hope to battle for the win this weekend.”

Max Biaggi #3: (Michelin Tyres) - “I like the design of the Nelson Piquet circuit and since they resurfaced the track you can also get good grip there. The weather conditions in Brazil don’t worry me too much, because whatever unknown factors there are in Brazil, it would be similar to the problems we dealt with in Holland. Honda also gave us massive support in Assen, doing some great work after the qualifying, giving me confidence for the race and demonstrating that with collaboration, even the most difficult situations can be resolved. This is what gives me a big lift to be able to take on the Rio race in confident mood.”

Luca Montiron – Camel Honda (Makoto Tamada Team Manager) - “Last year in Rio, Makoto had a superb race which we hope to repeat again this Sunday. All the pieces are there so we can do it again. It’s important for us to take a good result there, because so far this year we haven’t quite lived up to our expectations. We’re trying to get the bike package set up perfectly, with tyres at a level where they can handle performances like that of Mugello. We are working flat out together with Bridgestone to get Makoto in shape to express himself to the limit.”

Makoto Tamada #6: (Bridgestone Tyres) - “In Rio last year I ended up on the podium for the first time, so naturally, I’ve got some good memories of this Grand Prix.. But it’s not just for that reason that I’m happy to go there. I like the track layout, it’s very dynamic and has a long straight like the one in Mugello. I want to be at the front and fight for the top positions and I think that in Brazil we have the chance to meet our objectives.”