From a press release issued by MS Aprilia:

Manuel Poggiali: “Ready to start!”

Welkom, 4/15/04

Reigning 250 champion Manuel Poggiali begins the defence of his world crown this weekend when the new 2004 season begins in South Africa.

The MS Aprilia Racing rider goes into Sunday’s first race in Welkom brimming with confidence after a successful winter testing schedule on the RSW250, led by his chief engineer Rassano Brazzi. Poggiali will carry his famous number 54 plate instead of the number one in 2004. Like several other riders, he turned opted to carry his own plate used over a number of seasons because he believes the number one plate will be ‘unlucky’.

Poggiali goes into the new season in peak physical condition having undergone an intensive winter testing programme to help him cope with the punishing 16-round world championship. And he’s been training and eating a diet specifically geared to help him cope with the special demands presented by racing in Welkom, with thinner air caused by the circuit’s high altitude above sea level.

Looking forward to beginning the defence of his world title, the young San Marino rider said: “The winter was very hard because the weather wasn’t perfect at some places we tested, but we were still able to do a lot of work and we have moved in the right direction.

“Working with Rossano is the best because every problem we face, it is dealt with quickly and professionally. That has been very good working towards the start of the new season and now we have a perfect bike.”

While this year’s world 250 championship looks to be tougher than ever, Poggiali is looking forward to getting stuck into the challenge.

“It is normal that all the teams do a lot of work and I’m sure this will be a very difficult season, but I’m very confident.”


More, from a press release issued by Aprilia Racing:

Alex De Angelis: “Starting a new adventure”

Welkom, 4/15/04

After an intensive winter testing schedule adapting to the new RSW250, Aprilia Racing’s Alex de Angelis can’t wait for the 2004 world championship to start on Sunday in Welkom.

Relaxing in the Phakisa Freeway paddock before this Sunday’s opening race, de Angelis is confident of making a big early impression in his first world 250 championship season.

The San Marino rider, who finished second in last year’s world 125 series, has spent the winter working closely with his chief engineer Giovanni Sada to give him the best opportunity to challenge at the front in 2004.

He said: “I have spent a lot of the winter getting used to the 250. The bike is very fast, reactive and a joy to ride. It is a lot better than riding a 125”.

In the last winter test at the Mugello circuit in Italy, de Angelis managed to produce a brilliant time of 1.55.5, and that performance has given him great confidence before he embarks on the challenge of the world 250 championship.

Alex said: “I didn’t expect that performance and that has made me very optimistic for the race in Welkom, because we did a lot of work on the set-up there just for this race. I want to get an idea of my potential for Welkom by seeing how we get on in Friday and Saturday’s qualifying session, but I think we can finish in the top six which will be a great start.”