Alice Team Qatar test notes 2008-02-28

FIRST MOTOGP NIGHT TEST

The first MotoGP nocturnal session has finished without any complication in Doha, Qatar. The Losail circuit has hosted the first MotoGP World Championship session ever under the floodlights; this was the last exam before next weekend's MotoGP round on the same circuit. The Alice Team riders have declared themselves amused and satisfied about the conditions of the track, totally approving the project. Tomorrow, the MotoGP riders will have another possibility to adapt to the cold and windy conditions of the lit up desert circuit.

Fabiano Sterlacchini -- Technical Director
"It has been a unique experience. It is really incredible to see how the riders have found themselves at ease thanks to this incredible lighting system. We arrived here with many doubts, but the exam has been passed with full votes. Our riders have done quite well today. Sylvain has encountered a few problems, but Toni has registered interesting lap times. The track conditions were quite good. Tomorrow we will try to give an even more competitive bike to both riders to get them in the best condition possible for the first Grand Prix of the season."

Toni Elias -- Alice Team Rider (11th best lap time in 1'57.007 -- Total laps 85)
"We have a lot to improve, but we are sure we have found the right way to follow. The track is more than acceptable and, notwithstanding some wind and sand, we have managed to ride without too many problems. Surely the most complicated thing will be to find the right pneumatics due to the low asphalt temperature. I would say that my feeling with the bike has improved a lot compared to the weekend in Jerez. We consider ourselves satisfied of the work done today."

Sylvain Guintoli -- Alice Team Rider (17th best lap time in 1'57.644 -- Total laps 66)
"I can guarantee that when we stepped out onto the track we didn't even notice that it was night time. The lighting system is perfect. Maybe the only complication comes from the cold and wind that brings sand on the circuit. But, lap after lap, the track has improved and things have gotten better. We have worked a lot today, concentrating a lot to find the right pneumatics for this condition that is unusual compared to what we are used to. We hope to improve a lot tomorrow, the track will surely have a better grip."

-credit: alice team