From a press release issued by d’Antin Ducati:

MotoGP gets underway again in Brno

After a summer break, the world motorcycling championships get going once more this coming weekend with the annual visit to the Brno circuit. The track itself was constructed in the eighties to replace the old street circuit and became a pioneer for many modern tracks.

The d´Antin MotoGP riders are determined to getting amongst the top riders in this second part of the championship and tackle the Czech Republic Grand Prix with renewed enthusiasm, the first of seven remaining races this season.

Rubén Xaus is currently in eleventh place in the overall standings and is at the head of the rookies competition after some frankly stunning performances, whilst Neil Hodgson, currently sixteenth overall, could boast a smile over the holidays after he got his best result so far in his home British race. Both the Briton and the Spaniard are setting themselves new challenges every single time they take to their Ducati Desmosedici bikes on the track, but the characteristics of the Brno could allow them to rapidly get into the swing of things.

RUBÉN XAUS, who characteristically has had an action-packed rest period, confessed his desire to get back into action, “It was good to be able to disconnect a little over these days, although to be honest I can’t really just sit around and I’m keen to get into the next race. I know the Brno track a bit from my Thunderbikes days in 1996, although this just gives me a basic idea, however I remember liking the track: both the area and the complex… and the track of course. It’s a great track in every sense. I think it will be good for our bike and I intend to follow the same method of work we have used in every race, that is to say begin step by step, but giving one hundred percent to get a good result in the race.”

NEIL HODGSON took advantage from the break in competition to rest at his home on the Isle of Man, but is also keen to get back on board his Ducati at one of his favourite tracks, “I’ve really enjoyed these days off, forgetting about airports and such like, and in fact the rest has done my shoulder some good, which must have recovered another ten percent. I’m ready for the Brno race and I’m quite excited about it because it’s one of my favourite tracks, although I haven’t raced here since 1995. After tenth place in Donington I’m optimistic and I think that the results will show it as we make a constant progression towards the end of the season.”