Tuesday, July 1, 2008
WILLIAM COSTES (Yamaha/Michelin): "The circuit is very well, and it was difficult today because it was hot. The grip improved throughout the day, and we did a lot of testing of the tire and found some solutions. The track is very beautiful and different than anything we know. The banking is unbelievable; I did not know of that before. We are happy to be here, and I think we can do better tomorrow." (On frontstretch speed): "I don't know exactly, but I would say around 300 kilometers (188 mph) and maybe more. The straight was very long, but the last corner is very slow. If we got out of the turn better, we could probably go 320 (km) or so."
BEN SPIES (No. 11 Suzuki/Bridgestone): (About first visit to IMS and initial impressions of track): "Yeah, it's good. I think there's a couple little things they can improve, but I also think the people at the track are definitely going to go for that and make it happen for the race and fix what's needed to be fixed to make it better. For the first time on the track, I think it's a pretty good starting point, and we'll throw some ideas at them and see if they can get it worked out for the race time, and I think everything will be good." (On the most important things he's learned today): "Not so much the track for me. It's just that this is a new motorcycle for me so I'm just trying to do as many laps as I can, and that's about it. The track, after a few laps you learn it no matter what, so just trying to get more comfortable on the bike. In the end, we're getting faster and faster so it was a pretty good day." (On his goals for the MotoGP races in the United States): "I'd love to be in the top 10, top five, but that's going to be pretty tough so if I can get comfortable on the thing, I think we can do reasonably well but the issue is trying to get comfortable and that's why we're here. I did 100 laps today and I'm probably going to do another 100 tomorrow so, just the more laps, the better for me and try to run with those guys." (On what he's most looking forward to about coming back and racing at IMS in September): "Just being in America for a GP. I think it's going to be a good event and I think there's going to be a lot of fans here, so I'm just looking forward to seeing all of the American fans here rooting us on."
NICCOLO CANEPA (No. 59 Ducati/Bridgestone): "It is a beautiful track. Just this morning, I got to learn the circuit because it's new for everybody and it was also a little bit dirty, so we have to clean up the circuit. We did many, many laps this morning, but now in the evening the grip was good, and we found a good setup and good tires to do a good lap time. I'm happy also because I'm faster today than Ben Spies, the American, so I'm happy. But we will see tomorrow because we have a lot of work to do, and we will see. I think that the lap times will be better, for sure." (On being quickest and some things that can be improved on for tomorrow): "I don't know. We did a little bit of setup. The bike is still not good, but we have to work tomorrow. I don't know what I did better than the other guys, but I have learned the secret better. I'm younger, so I think I'm ready to be more crazy than the others."
OLIVIER JACQUE (No. 19 Kawasaki/Bridgestone): "The track was not difficult to get used to. It took maybe 10 laps. The frontstretch was very slippery this morning. At the end of the day, it was getting better, not perfect, but it was really tricky in the morning. I was not happy during the day with our setup, so tomorrow we will concentrate more on our chassis setup."
ERWAN NIGON (No. 72 Honda/ Michelin): "The track is very special. It's an American track, and it is very interesting for me. The first few corners are very small for me, and it is dirty outside the white line. This is the first time for me to arrive in America, and I like it. This is a dream." (On seeing the fans out today): "It was very nice to see, and I was happy they were all out there. It was perfect."
WATARU YOSHIKAWA (Yamaha/Bridgestone): "I was scared a little because there was a low level of grip in the fast section in the first few turns." (On grip improving throughout the day): "The grip was getting better and better as the day went on and it got hotter." (On the length of the frontstretch): "I feel good on the long straight, but this straight is longer than any other Grand Prix track. When there is grip in the first corner, it is fast." (On fans attending the test today): "I saw many fans around the track, and a Grand Prix allows people to see many riders and many motorcycles, so I hope the fans come and see this Grand Prix."
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