From a press release issued by Honda Racing Information:

Grand Prix of Valencia

October 31, November 1, 2

LAST OF 16 RACES SEALS SENSATIONAL SEASON FOR HONDA

Whatever happens at Valencia as the curtain falls on the 2003 season, this has been Honda’s year in the big class. Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda RC211V) reigns as World Champion for the third year in succession, Honda has secured the Constructor’s World Title and Repsol Honda has clinched the new World Team Title. Sete Gibernau (Telefonica MoviStar Honda RC211V) is confirmed as second-placed finisher in the World Championship points standings with Max Biaggi (Camel Pramac Pons RC211V) aiming to wrap up third overall here at Valencia this weekend.

The 125cc class World Championship also belongs to Honda via Spanish teen hero Daniel Pedrosa (Telefonica MoviStar Junior Team RS125R) who wrapped up the title in Malaysia on October 12. Sadly he won’t be competing at his home round after breaking both ankles in a bad crash at Phillip Island in Australia two weeks ago. But the tough 18-year-old held a short press conference in a Spanish hospital before returning to his home to recuperate.

In the 250cc class the title is going to the wire with Honda man Roberto Rolfo (Fortuna Honda RS250RW) only seven points behind long-term title leader Manuel Poggiali (Aprilia). And with 25 points up for grabs for the win this race will settle a compelling season-long battle for the honours in this class.

But the action will be fast and frantic in every class, riders with contracts still to settle for next year will want to finish the season strongly, and no one wants to have a ‘forgettable’ final race as the long (30 week) season draws to a conclusion. There’s also a heavy winter testing schedule to come and it’s vital for riders to carry confidence into the gruelling test period.

As crowd figures continue to grow in the four-stroke MotoGP era, motorcycle enthusiasts and new fans of the big 990cc machines continue to be served up fantastically intense contests and Valencia promises to provide more of the same on the 4.005km Ricardo Tormo track.

The layout of Valencia is unusual in that there are 14 corners packed into a small area with only one straight at a short 876m. The compact circuit is ideal for spectators who can see most of the gently undulating track from the grandstands and viewing areas.

For riders, the track requires a great deal of hard work. With so many turns in quick succession they get little time to rest and the short main straight provides little opportunity to ‘relax’ behind the fairing screen. The average lap speed is relatively slow at around 150km/h. Valencia is the second slowest track on the calendar, with Estoril in Portugal the slowest.

But the effort required to pilot the 240bhp MotoGP machines around the tight confines of the track is substantial. The bikes are on the edge of the tyres for long periods and this gives the rubber a tough time. The two fast turns at either end the main straight are particularly hard on tyres with riders wanting to ‘get on the gas’ as early as possible to fire their machines out of one turn and onto the next. Machine set-up in making the most of available grip is key.

World Champ Rossi knows what to expect. “The competition will be very strong here,” he said. “Like it has been all season. But my team is working well and I’m sure we’ll make the most of our chances here. It’s not a favourite of mine and I’ve never won there, but the important thing is to try to end the season on a high note.”

Gibernau won there in 2001 and is one of the few men who like the circuit. “I like the track,” he said. “Although for many riders it’s not that special. But I’m riding at home so it’s special. I’ll always remember this season for many reasons, but always for Daijiro Kato who will always be in our memory.”

Max Biaggi is eager to get racing. “I’m ready for it,” he said. “The track is a bit too narrow and a bit slow for my liking – but it’s hugely entertaining for the fans. And I’ll be ready to go on Friday morning although I’m still a bit disappointed about Australia where I was sure I could have finished on the podium.”

Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) is eager to conclude his rookie season with another rousing ride after his third-place podium in Australia. “A year ago I visited Valencia to see my first ever MotoGP,” said the American. “This year has gone so quick, it’s been great and my confidence has grown. I’ve ridden here before but in strange weather conditions, but at least I know which way the track goes.”

For Makoto Tamada (Pramac Honda RC211V) Valencia represents another chance to get among the top men. “I’m ten points away from a top ten placing overall,” said the Japanese rookie. “I hope it doesn’t rain because I need a good result to catch Alex Barros, but the competition is so tough, with Nicky Hayden and Troy Bayliss all competing for the Rookie Of The Year title.”

Ryuichi Kiyonari (Telefonica MoviStar Honda RC211V) goes to the final race of the year and another track he has never raced on. “Valencia is a tight track with lots of corners so I will hope to find a set up quickly if I am to have a god race.”

For Tohru Ukawa (Camel Pramac Pons RC211V) Valencia is a chance to finish the season strongly after a tough year. “It’s a so-so circuit for me,” said the tough Japanese. “I won there on a 250 in 1999, so I should perhaps like the place. But then in 2000, 2001 and 2002 nothing happened for me at all. The track’s hard on a big bike and the straight is short so there’s no let-up at all and it will be difficult again here. It’s my last chance for a podium this season, it’s important for me.”

For Robby Rolfo, this is the track where his dogged bid for 250 World Championship honours will succeed, or end in heroic failure. The Italian Honda man has never stopped taking the fight to Aprilia hordes and his sheer consistency has been one of the marvels of the season. He has finished every race he has started this season and scored points in them all. The only rider to have matched this record in 2003 is Rossi.

“Valencia is a track I like,” said Rolfo. “In the past I had problems to find a set up that would allow me to go fast, but last year I was much better The setting problems come from a lack of grip on the track but that depends on how much rubber there is on the surface. A lot of the track is very slow and acceleration onto the two straights is very important to get a good lap time, particularly the second gear corner onto the back straight. One thing for sure, it will be a good race because a lot of riders are very fast at Valencia.”

Rolfo needs to score eight more points than title leader Manuel Poggiali (Aprilia) to win the title. If Rolfo wins and Poggiali is third or lower, Rolfo will steal the crown. And Honda rider Sebastian Porto (Telefonica MoviStar Junior Team RS250RW) is sure to figure somewhere in the points equation.

“Valencia is a good track for me,” said the Argentine Porto. “And the people of the city are very special. But for me it’s the track that is special and I think we can do a good job in the race. The track is a slow one with many corners, not at all fast, although the front straight is just a little longer than I would like. The turns will suit my machine and I’m in confident mood despite my fall at Phillip Island. We will do our very best in Valencia because this has not been a lucky year for me.”

While Spanish World 125cc Champion Daniel Pedrosa (Telefonica MoviStar Junior Team RS125R) recuperates at home from his Phillip Island crash Andrea Dovizioso (Team Scot Honda RS125R will be trying to snatch third place overall. “I don’t like the Valencia circuit very much,” he said. “There are far too many short corners for me, I like fast flowing circuits. But I will give it my best when we get there.”

Masao Azuma (Ajo Motorsports Honda RS125R) rides his last here and heads into retirement at the flag on Sunday. “The Valencia race will be my last GP but I’m not emotional about that,” said the Japanese star. “I’m not thinking about it at all, if there’s any emotion it will be later, not now. Valencia is not one of my best tracks, my only podium finish there was a second place in 2000. I crashed in 1999 and did not ride well in other races at the track.”

Andrea Ballerini (Ajo Motorsports Honda RS125R) is on a high after his stirring win at Phillip Island two weeks ago. “I like the Valencia circuit, I did well there last year (12th),” said the Italian. “This year it will be very good for me to race there for this team so soon after Phillip Island. We know the bike will work well at Valencia, in either wet or dry conditions so I’m really looking forward to the race.”