From a press release issued by Camel Honda Pons:

MotoGP restarts after summer break. Max, Makoto and the Camel Honda team ready for Brno GP

With nearly a month having passed since the British GP, the last race before the recent summer rest period, the world championships has been able to take a breath before setting out on the second, frenetic half of the season. Seven races across four continents, beginning with this weekend’s Czech GP, will decide the outcome of one of the most exciting MotoGP seasons ever to take place over the next ten weeks. Max Biaggi makes his way to Brno after having undergone a rollercoaster of emotions over recent races, which nonetheless have had a common denominator; his determination to fight to the end and to always look ahead, even when fortune has not been on his side. That’s also how Biaggi is looking at this Brno race, despite the technical problems at Donington he is calm and confident in his own and his team’s capabilities. In much the same way Tamada, who travels straight to the Czech Republic from his holidays back home in Japan, is preparing for the second half of the season looking to repeat the success of Rio at a track that he already performed well on last year.

Sito Pons – Camel Honda (Team Principal)
“I think that this summer break has allowed everyone who works in the world championships, including riders and engineers, to enjoy a well-earned rest after a frankly intense and challenging period. It will allow us all to attack the second part of the season with renewed energy and enthusiasm. Brno is a track where Max has always got top results and which also works well for Makoto, who loves the fast circuits. I’m sure that after Donington, where a technical problem prevented us from showing our true potential, we can find our way back to victory, as we did in Brazil and Germany beforehand. Our team has everything it takes to take the title challenge to the very end.”

Max Biaggi #3: (Michelin Tyres)
“I have rested over the last few weeks, I got in some sunshine and did some sport whilst holidaying with friends. My thoughts have tracked back to the race, I admit it, just because what happened in Britain is still getting to me, how can that have happened? This season has already proved however that nothing is decided until the end, and it is with this spirit that I will take on the second part of the year. I’m delighted that we kick off again with Brno, because it is a track that I like without a doubt, but I will approach it as I do any other. In the end every track is great when you feel at one with your bike and every track can be a pitfall when you don’t think it will be. So, it’s good to go to Brno, but the job more importantly than ever is to work well with the team, with Honda and with Michelin to get ourselves into the best shape technically by Sunday so we can fight for victory.”

Luca Montiron – Camel Honda (Makoto Tamada Team Manager)
Makoto was in Japan during the summer vacation, and we hope he returns rested and refreshed so he can take on the second half of the season in perfect condition, as the rest of the team is ready to do. During the break, Bridgestone has continued its own work and we are hoping ultimately to reduce the gap to our rivals to firmly establish our position amongst the top riders. It is because of this work that we look forward to Brno with great anxiety and we are sure that the second part of the season will be fundamental for us.

Makoto Tamada #6: (Bridgestone Tyres)
“The Brno track is one of my favourites; the design and the track’s rhythm are very special. I really think I can go well there. During the summer break the tyre development will have moved on, and with the right choice to suit the climate in the Czech Republic we can feature prominently in this race.”


2003 Podium

1. V. Rossi (Honda)
2. S. Gibernau (Honda)
3. T. Bayliss (Ducati)


Pole Position Record
V. Rossi (Honda – 2003)
1:58.769


Official Record
V. Rossi (Honda – 2003)
1:59.966


No. of Laps
22 (118.866km)



MotoGP timetable:
14.00 (GMT + 2)
*European Summer Time




Characteristics
Length: 5,403 m
Width: 15m
Right corners: 8
Left corners: 6
Constructed in: 1987
Last Modified: 1996