Sakset fra MotoGP :
"Fausto Gresini reflects on another win for Gibernau
After Sete Gibernau´s third victory of the season at Assen on
Saturday, the Telefónica Movistar Honda team have come to consolidate
the first half of a season which began in the worst possible way. The
death of Daijiro Kato rocked the whole MotoGP community, and the
Italian outfit are still coming to terms with the tragedy. Team
Manager Fausto Gresini spoke to motograndprix.com about the mood
within the team and their objectives for the remainder of the 2003
season. The former 250cc World Champion also takes a quick look back
on an unforgettable year so far.
`This has without doubt been a very strange year for my team,´
reflects Gresini. `It was difficult to imagine that Sete would win so
often and so comfortably – this has been a surprise for all of us.
Firstly in South Africa, at a GP which was charged with emotion, and
then in France – which was also very special not just because it was
so exciting but also because some people had dared to suggest that
Valentino let Sete win at Welkom. Now, after seven races, it is clear
that Sete is a top class rider.
To win at Assen, which is already a tough circuit because of its
technical characteristics, in the way he did is very impressive´.
`Sete feels comfortable with the team, he is happy working with us and
that is very important. He is very motivated, self-confident and has a
positive way of thinking. He is transformed from the rider he was. He
has a good machine and he is willing to show that he is a good rider.
I think that at this level he has proved that – not just in the wet,
which has also been suggested. Sete has performed well in the dry –
such as his win in South Africa. He also rode well at Catalunya, and
if it wasn´t for his crash at Jerez he would be very close to Rossi in
the championship´.
In fact, Gibernau is just 38 points behind the World Champion with
nine races still to go, but Gresini refuses to make any predictions:
`Our aim is to finish as high as possible by being consistent and
competitive throughout the season – and obviously win whenever
possible because that is always nice! The victory in Holland was very
special and we will continue working for more days like that ´.
Gibernau´s success has lifted the team, although Gresini admits that
Kato´s tragic accident is always at the back of their minds. `We are
still not over that yet,´ he says. `It was a very harsh thing to
happen, a huge shock, but we also feel proud to carry on – it has
given us extra motivation. We have channelled our energy into winning,
just as Kato used to do, and we have given this chance to a rider who
is capable of taking it. Sete is our flag bearer now and we are all
focussed on giving him our support to continue with his excellent
progress.´"
--
-Michael
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