M2: Aragon GP: Gresini Racing preview

ARAGON ADVENTURE CLOSE TO HOME FOR ELIAS

Six victories from eleven races and a run of four in a row is the stuff of champions. Toni Elias battled against the effects of illness at Misano but still didn't give his rivals a chance in a race that will always be remembered above all for the loss of a rival, colleague and friend: Shoya Tomizawa. At Aragon the racing continues in the name of the Japanese youngster and Team Gresini's lead rider would like nothing more than to dedicate another victory to him. Aragon is a new circuit but it is not unknown to the Moto2 riders. After racing at Barcelona a couple of months ago they went there for a test, which was positive for Toni Elias and his team. The schedule also returns to its old format for Aragon, with free practice also on Friday morning providing an extra opportunity to try out technical solutions that can help Elias finish the season in the best way possible.

Toni Elias "We did a great job at Misano even though my physical condition was not perfect. In the end we reaped the fruit of all our hard work even though it had been very tough. Taking pole position on Saturday and the win on Sunday was a nice gift to the team, who are based just a few kilometres from Misano. The win has also given us a boost in terms of the championship. It would have been a day for us to celebrate but our achievements lost all significance with the passing of Shoya Tomizawa. It was a tough blow for our sport and today more than ever I want to send my thoughts to his family and do my part to keep alive the memory of a rider and a young man that was so full of life. It is an extra motivation to pay homage to him at Aragon, with the number 48 in my heart alongside the Spanish fans, and try to win the race so that I can dedicate it to him."

Vladimir Ivanov "I am travelling to Aragon in the hope I can race again. I am in good shape after the fracture and I have done a lot of rehabilitation, so I feel ready for it. Obviously I will have to wait for clearance from the doctors but I am very hopeful that their response will be positive."

Fausto Gresini "With six races remaining of the season we are in good shape. In fact, I think it is impossible to ask for any more. The team and rider have done a great job and whilst we had a spell at the start when we didn't pick up as many points as we could have the results since then have been sensational and all the hard work has paid off. Overall our reflections on the season so far are very positive but especially with the four straight wins and the advantage we currently have at the top of the championship. However, there are still a lot of points available so we have to keep up the same level of concentration until the end and that is what the team and rider will be doing."

-source: gesini racing