From a press release issued by Honda Racing Information:

GIBERNAU FIGHTS TO KEEP SLIM TITLE CHANCE ALIVE

Already, rising star Andrea Dovizioso (Team Scot Honda RS125R) has grabbed the 125cc World Championship, quarter-litre phenomenon Dani Pedrosa (Telefonica MoviStar Junior Team RS250RW) is inches away from the 250cc crown, while Sete Gibernau (Telefonica MoviStar Honda RC211V) battles to stay in contention for the MotoGP title.

The Spanish rider struggled with rear chatter problems a week ago in Malaysia while World Championship leader Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) won. As the cavalcade of raw power and sheer speed rolls into Australia this weekend Gibernau needs nothing less then a resounding win to stay in contention.

Even if he wins and Rossi comes second – the title will be Rossi’s. If Rossi wins – the game is up for Gibernau. All Rossi needs over the next two races is two sixth places, or higher, to clinch the title at the final round in Valencia two weeks after this upcoming race. Rossi has won here for the last three years. But there are perhaps twists and turns yet to come in this increasingly intense title race.

The Phillip Island race is the last of three gruelling back-to-back ‘flyaway’ races. This rollercoaster of a circuit lies 130km south east of Melbourne and is home to this compelling penultimate race of a 16-race season.

Real talent is needed here, perhaps more than at any other circuit. Australia hosted its first Grand Prix race here in 1989. The racing is almost always spectacular, the crowd is vocal and provides a spine-tingling atmosphere as two World Championships stand to gel.

Tyre wear, as it has been all season, will be an issue here. The two long left-hand turns onto the main straight are particularly hard on rubber, so machine set-up will be aimed at conserving tyres.

There are many sections of the track where fast changes of direction are required, and sustained periods of high lean-angle test riders to the maximum. Riders need to be good on worn tyres towards the end of the race, while wind and trouble with wandering wildlife are also determining factors.

Sete is ready for the challenge, “This is one of my favourite tracks. It is a circuit I know very well, like Sepang, because we do a lot of winter testing here. It is a circuit where you need excellent bike set-up. Here the bike must be perfect. It will be a hard-fought race as Rossi particularly likes this tack but I also like it too, so I’m sure it will be an exciting weekend.”


Alex Barros (Repsol Honda RC211V) has had a second place here in the premier class. “I remember very well the race in 2002 when I had a great battle with Valentino,” said the Brazilian. “We have been getting stronger and stronger over the last few races – the team is working very hard and it has been good to get higher qualifying positions at the last two GPs and the podium in Sepang was welcome – we will try everything to go one better in Australia. The fans there love their racing and it is a pleasure to race in front of such a great crowd.”

His team-mate Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) said, “I’m really looking forward to getting to Phillip Island. Everything about the place is pretty special – the atmosphere, the track, the people. I’ve tested there a few times and raced there once and I love it. This season is just clicking away so fast I really want to get some sort of result for the team and me. The last two races last year were pretty good (first podium and first front row) and I’ll be working all out to go one better.”

Max Biaggi (Camel Honda RC211V) moves on with vigour, “We come to one of my favourite circuits feeling a range of emotions and sensations. Satisfaction for having returned to the podium after three races to forget about, a great motivation to continue at this level, and to go on to get on the top step, and perhaps more than anything, regret at not being able to fight for the title with my rivals. However, seeing as it is useless to look back, we’ll be focusing.”

Makoto Tamada (Camel Honda RC211V), riding on Bridgestone tyres, said, “Phillip Island isn’t exactly a metropolis. Perhaps I will dedicate my time before Thursday to one of my favourite hobbies, fishing… At least there will be fish there! Joking aside, the Australian race will be very tough, above all because it will be very cold. We have to check how our tyres react to such a diverse temperature change from the last two races.”

Colin Edwards (Telefonica MoviStar Honda RC211V) said, “This is my favourite track. There are no better or worse parts because it is a fantastic combination of slow and fast corners and change of directions. On this track it is fundamental to have an excellent set up. If you have it then there shouldn’t be any problems to do a fast lap. A non-aggressive ride is needed at Philip Island, it is important to follow your line.”

In the 250cc class Dani Pedrosa (Telefonica MoviStar Junior Team RS250RW) won in unassailable style in Malaysia last weekend, but was denied the World Championship title that still lies tantalisingly out of reach. Sebastian Porto (Yamaha) finished second and kept his slim chance alive.

Pedrosa has scored six victories so far this season, Porto four. Pedrosa currently sits 48 points ahead of Porto in the standings. With two races to go Pedrosa needs three points (a 13th place finish this weekend would be enough).

But, if Porto were to win the next two races and Dani fail to score, the Argentine would prevail. The Way Dani has been riding this season, it’s a very long shot for Porto. It will be test for 19-year-old Dani here in Australia though. He was badly injured here last year after securing the 2003 World 125cc crown a week before at Sepang.

Dani said, “Things couldn’t have gone better in Malaysia – I did what I had to do and I can’t ask for any more. We were really focused all weekend and that is how I want to continue this weekend in Australia because we all saw what happened last year. Even though you’ve just won the title, if you take your eye off the game for a second you can end up in a bad way.”

Alex Debon (Würth Honda BQR RS250R) is snatched some useful points this season and lies just four points behind reigning World Champion Manuel Poggiali (Aprilia) in the overall standings. It would be a feather in his cap if he could overhaul the San Marinese title holder.

Hiroshi Aoyama (Telefonica MoviStar Junior Team RS250RW) said, “Phillip Island is a fast circuit and it is quite long, so I’ll really have to concentrate hard in practice to get some reference points. I know that I can do that like I did at Sepang, although hopefully the result in the race will be different. The one thing I am worried about is the weather because I’ve been told that it’s windy, cold and can rain every day. In my case, it will be really important to make the most of the four hours of practice.”

Andrea Dovizioso (Team Scot Honda RS125R) won the 125cc World Championship, his first, last week at Sepang. The emerging Italian star finished second to Casey Stoner (KTM) last week to clinch the title. This weekend will enable the genial Italian to enjoy himself with the title safely in the bag. “Not so much pressure this weekend,” said the Italian. “I look forward to having some fun on the track.”