A true ‘tour de force’ gets underway at the Grand Prix of Catalunya as the MotoGP teams and riders prepare for the first of five races in six weekends in Europe and the United States. Such an intense run doesn’t allow for even the slightest of distractions and the TEAM FORTUNA HONDA riders are ready for the upcoming ‘marathon’. The fun starts in Barcelona, a home race for Toni Elias, who lives just thirty kilometres away from the Montmelò in the town of Manresa. TONI ELIAS: “Racing in front of your home crowd is an incredible feeling and this time it is even more so because it can help you get over your difficulties. We had hoped to be arriving at this event with better results behind us but unfortunately we are still suffering from problems that have dogged us for the last three races. The days of tests at Mugello was useful to try and understand the bike more and find some kind of direction to work in. Within the team we have studied a few alternative solutions which I am sure will have good results in Barcelona. I’m feeling confident and motivated. I want to get back to enjoying myself and give my fans something to celebrate. Barcelona is a demanding track, an F1 circuit, but I’m ready to give my maximum and take a good result home with me.” MARCO MELANDRI: “I can’t wait to get back on track after the excellent results we had at the Mugello test. Over the race weekend we had worked hard to find better traction and on Monday we concentrated on speed through the corners and the results were positive. I’m feeling very confident about going to Barcelona – the track is similar to Mugello and with the good base setting we found there I should be able to do well also in Spain. I like the track and I’ve had a lot of satisfaction there in the past. I know the podium well at Montmelò because I have already been there twice in MotoGP over the past two years. I have missed the taste of champagne and I want to sample it again.” THE TRACK: The Barcelona track itself is fast, although not quite so much as Mugello, very technical and requires good set-up in the cycle part of the bike due to the mixture of fast and slow corners. It is also a very challenging track for the MICHELIN technicians and tyre choice is fundamental because grip levels are constantly changing (it has been known to offer good grip during morning free practice only to drop dramatically in the afternoon). Tyres and suspension also have to work together to offer stability and flexibility through the varying land levels of the Catalan track. MOTOGP 2006: A MEDIATIC PHENOMENON The arrival of the MotoGP era has not simply signified a technological revolution. The spectacle of the world’s premier motorcycle sport has captured the imagination of the public and the media, seeing an incredible upturn in general interest over the past few years. The sight of great champions doing battle on track, beamed onto television screens all over the world, has turned it into one of the most fashionable sports on the planet. The recent Grand Prix of Italy was enjoyed by 90,000 spectators onsite, whilst national television figures almost hit record highs, with 7,902,000 viewers and a 50.9 % share. This figure is second only to last year’s Grand Prix of Catalunya, which was followed by an incredible total of 8,446,000 people in Italy. This level of success has been possible thanks to the enormous efforts of DORNA and national TV stations to transmit the passion of motorcycle racing. In Italy the event is broadcast by MEDIASET, who have spectators hooked all year round – from the preseason tests right the way through qualifying practice sessions and the races. Each race weekend is given nine hours of coverage by ITALIA 1 with 30 members of staff onsite including journalists, technicians, production staff and four cameras (2 in boxes and 2 in the studio), which add to the coverage provided by Dorna. For their home GP this effort was increased to 40 members of staff, including 10 cameras in the studio, box and paddock. Overall the Grand Prix of Italy was followed by 90 cameras between Dorna and Mediaset. Not a single centimetre of the track or paddock was left uncovered, with footage from the track feed complimented by onboard cameras and action from the boxes, pit-lane, paddock and studio. The Italian event was broadcast by a total of 107 television stations from 36 countries, who are able to follow the entire championship and enjoy the passion of motorcycles from home. In 2005 the MotoGP World Championship was seen by a total of 5 billion and 290 million viewers – averaging at 311 million per event. A total of 3,790 hours of coverage was broadcast on the MotoGP class alone. TV IN NUMBERS -5 billion and 290 million MotoGP television viewers, with an average of 311 millionper race (2005 season) -3,790 of televised coverage of the premier class in 207 countries – 142 of which show lives races. -107 television stations in 36 countries following the championship, as well as 112 radio stations from 22 countries. -184 countries broadcasting live coverage of the MotoGP races. -10,020 accredited journalists for the season from 59 countries with an average of 589 per GP -1243 newspaper headings from 55 countries. Italy has the record of 773 journalists present throughout the 17 race championship