MotoGP 2004 - Round 7 - Rio

Just four full days after the last GP in Assen, Holland the MotoGP circus has jetted 15,000 kms across the globe to start the seventh GP season at Jacarepagua, on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

The 4.933km circuit was built on reclaimed land in 1978 and has always had the reputation for being somewhat bumpy which means that the suspension technicians have their work cut out over the race weekend. The track layout isn’t traditionally hard on tyres and most of the set-up emphasis will be on mid and top end power for acceleration out of the many medium speed corners.

Local hero Alex Barros will be working hard for his elusive home win. The 33-year-old came closest in 2000 with a second place, finishing under a second behind Valentino Rossi. Barros has really got to grips with his Honda RC211V in set-up over the last couple of GP’s and has been happily running up at the front of the pack putting in consistently fast laps. However, the Brazilian has failed to finish the last two races slipping off in Barcelona and crashing out at high speed while holding second place at Assen last week. He thankfully escaped any serious injury in Holland and was happy to receive an all clear from his doctors in San Paulo on Monday, although he is expected to be pretty sore following the tumble.

Nicky Hayden arrives at the circuit fresh from a fighting fifth place at Assen that saw the 22-year-old scythe his way through the field from 14th at the end of the first lap to take 11 valuable championship points. The young American jetted from Holland after the race to South America to visit a Honda factory in Brazil with team mate Barros before preparing himself for Friday morning practice at the track he finished fifth at last year in his rookie MotoGP season.

Nicky Hayden - “Brazil I remember as being a really bumpy track but for me it was not so bad. The layout was not particularly technical and should suit the Honda’s characteristics. I’m glad we have a race straightaway, as I would love to string a few good results together after a pretty good weekend at Assen. After some of the recent disappointment in races it was real good to be mixing it up and catching and passing guys again. It felt great to be having fun again in a race and I so wanted to get on the box. The bike is feeling good at the moment and the team is really focussed. We went straight from Assen to Brazil to visit a Honda factory in the jungle and we’ll be ready to get on the bike on Friday morning – all pretty mad at the moment!”

Alex Barros - “For many people the home GP brings a load more pressure but I always really enjoy it. Fans at home are very passionate about their motorsport and I get a huge amount of support from the crowd in Brazil. Although the results of the last few races have been really disappointing we are very encouraged with the performance of the machine and with the balance we have been able to find. The team have worked hard to make a package that can run at the front of the field – we now need to see some results. I was lucky not to have had too much injury for the crash at Assen. I saw my doctors at home on Monday who indicate that although I am fit to ride I’m not 100% especially with my left shoulder which is still pretty sore.”