As the lead-up builds to the British Round of MotoGP this weekend at Donington Park, a press conference was held today at the British Transport Museum in Covent Garden, Central London. At the conference was World Champion and MotoGP Tech 3 Yamaha rider James Toseland, our three British up and coming young 125GP hopefuls, Bradley Smith, Scott Redding and Danny Webb and Ulster man and 250GP rider Eugene Laverty, also present was Jir Team Scot MotoGP rookie Andrea Dovizioso who lies currently fourth in the Championship.. (see more)
All were hyped up and very excited about this weekends races. James Toseland is sixth in the series, and looking forward to being able to level the playing ground a little by racing not only on a track he's ridden before many times, but also by having the undoubtable Toseland-mania support from all his fans who will no doubt be going mad and cheering him on.
After touring the Museum and taking in all the sights *ahem*, the hopefuls had the following to say in a conference:
James Toseland:
“This is the weekend I’ve been so looking forward to all season. My one and only race in Britain this year and my first appearance on a MotoGP bike in front of those home fans. To finish sixth in Barcelona was a good result and I can’t wait to get to Donington. I know the track well, I won there last year on a Superbike and I’ll be pushing really hard for that podium place.”
Bradley Smith:
“I’m working very hard to get 100 per cent fit after my qualifying crash in Barcelona. My left ankle and leg are still very sore but I will be fit by practice on Friday. It’s a very special race for all British riders and I scored my first ever World Championship points at Donington when I finished 12th two years ago.”
Scott Redding:
”I’m really looking forward to racing at home although I’ve never raced on the full Donington grand prix circuit. I’ve raced an 80 cc bike on the short circuit and so I know well over half the track. My first grand prix season is going well and I was pleased with that sixth place at the last round in Barcelona.”
Danny Webb:
“My 11th place in Barcelona was just the result I needed going into my home race at Donington, especially after I made such a bad start in the race. I’d not scored points in the two previous rounds and so that’s just what we wanted and I’ve got a good feeling before such an important race.”
Eugene Laverty:
"Donington is a track I know well and I’ve finished on the podium twice there in the British Supersport Championship. It’s a track where horsepower is not so important and that should really suit me. After seven rounds I’ve already scored more 250cc Championships points than the whole of last season.”
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