German GP: Alice Team preview

Not Too Much Luck In Year's Past

After the weekend off, MotoGP World championship riders are back on track for the Alice German Grand Prix on the Sachsenring circuit, located in the past East Germany. The circuit, one of the slowest and technical included in the MotoGP calendar, didn't bring too much luck for the Alice Team riders in the last years, in fact, Toni Elias never made it to conquer more than the eleventh position obtained in 2006. Last year the Spanish rider couldn't step on the track due to an injury, while in 2005 he concluded in thirteenth position. His teammate, Sylvain Guintoli, had to stop after a few turns last year in his only appearance here in the highest category and will try his best this year on a circuit he really enjoys. Sachsenring circuit, with its 3671 m, is the shortest of the MotoGP world championship.

Fabiano Sterlacchini, Alice Team Technical Director, is really trustful for this race: "I heard our riders really excited for this race, they will surely do all possible to conquer a good position. Mostly Elias who didn't shine in Holland, wants to demonstrate his talent and is determine in doing it. Guintoli on the other hand, even if he hasn't conquered excellent positions, has improved in the last two races and this could be a good opportunity for him to take another step forward. Our Ducati, as demonstrated by the last impressive performances by Casey Stoner, has improved a lot during the season and we hope to be as well much more competitive soon."

Toni Elias, who didn't make it to go further than the twelfth position in Holland, will try to conquer the most points possible in Sachsenring: "On this circuit I never achieved great results since I have joined MotoGP category. I hope time to make a change has come on this track. It is a really technical track with many slow turns and an incredible downhill. All of this makes it a really fun circuit with no many points where you can overtake. We have to find as soon as possible the right balance of the bike because is really important on this track."

His teammate, Sylvain Guintoli, after showing good improvements in the last two races, want to keep growing: "Last year I haven't been so lucky because my race ended only after a few turns. I want to get back what I left last year on this track that I really like: fun and you fight really close with the other riders. It's not easy to overtake and you have to always be careful because if you make even a small mistake it can cost you many positions. It isn't a fast track, and therefore maybe it isn't so adapt to our bike, but if the Team works well like in the last few races I am sure that we will find a good set up to be competitive."

-credit: pd'a