Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

The Talk W - United States Grand Prix th the U.S. Grand Prix making its return to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca this weekend. A bombardment of Cycle News, and we thought it appropriate to team press releases made its way to but I know it's a strange track with a difficult first section, and it will be hard. I know it only from television, but I have been practicing with the PlayStation, and more or less, I know the layout. I think the track is difficult because it of the track will be a problem." Nicky Hayden: "Ever since I was a kid, I dreamt of riding in a Grand Prix at home. In fact, I remember the last Grand Prix here. Me and my brother did this road trip - guess always magic. I like racing in front of the American public, and it would be the perfect scene to come back to a good result." Marco Melandri: "Laguna Seca is weird because there are lots of ups and downs. In reality, the track is different to how it looks on television. Everything revolves around the Corkscrew. You get to it by coming down from a long lefthand corner, followed by a tight choke towards the bottom very tight and in the opposite direction. You really need to be brave because it is a blind corner. bring you what the MotoGP stars had to say about the upcoming event. Colin Edwards: "Everybody I know is coming to this race, and I want to win - that's the only thing I am thinking of. If anybody else wants to win, they have to beat me on my own turf. ''I'm putting in a protest I can't wait to ride here; it's one about the extra practice!" my advantage - it took me of the legendary tracks in motorcycle racing." Sete Gibemau: "I have never ridden at laguna Seca, but I have three or four years to learn watched a race as a spectator in the layout well and to figure out all the bumps. The track 1993. I spent a couple of days on Kenny Roberts' ranch in Modesto, and I went with him to laguna where he was racing as a wildcard. Iwas very taken by the track, different from all the others and with its famous Corkscrew, which makes it unique - I can't wait to race here. laguna is considered one of the classics to race on, and Istill haven't. Considering its location and atmosphere, I am sure it will be an absolutely special Grand Prix." Alex Barros: "I'm honestly delighted to be returning to Laguna Seca, because I love it and because I'm eager to get a good Edwards joked. '1\ctually, I'm not so worried about losing has the Corkscrew in tUrn six up the hill, a little jump down the back straight and turn one - they're the most difficult sections. There are a few secret lines, which I won't be sharing with anyone just yet! They take experience; you don't just learn them overnight. I think it will be difficult for a couple of the riders, and I think the guys who have ridden the track in the past will definitely have an advantage. It's a special place, and I can't wait to go there race under my belt after Assen. It's a track with a unique charac- feeling really strong. "I think the Yamaha is going to work really good there. The last bike that I rode there was a Superbike, and to get a Grand Prix bike going well there is definitely going to be ter with lots of hills - it almost reminds me of a Supercross track! I have ridden there four times and in '93 stepped onto the podium. Luckily, they have improved the runoff areas, too, because in the '90s, they were basically nonexistent. I think that everyone will love its great layout, difficult in some areas. It's not a real horsepower track - any bike on the grid is going to which is a joy to ride." have too much power for the track, so there is no issue with power. It is just a matter of Troy Bayliss: "I think the current lap record will last about IS minutes of the first MotoGP prac- getting the setting on the bike tice session. I'm really curious to see what we can do with these right. You get the suspension right and get the balance working, and you never know who will be up top." Valentino Rossi: "We've all been waiting for this race. Usually the new races we go to are in strange places, but to go to California is a real pleasure. I've goes up and down a lot, and it's also quite technical with some very difficuit points, such as the first left after the straight, and the been in the U.S. five or six years ago, but Corkscrew, especially. For sure with the only for one week. For Sure California is a MotoGP bike it will be interesting. Usually, I like a lot the more technical and difficult tracks. I like a track to be qUite fast, but also if it is more technical, more difficult, I'm happy. The important thing is the condition of the surface: It's important that the grip is good and that very good place, and a lot of people say that the number of MotoGP fans have become more and more over the last few years in the U.S, so I'm expecting a lot of fans for the race. I'm also very happy to go to California for the sun and beautiful girls - I think it's a good place! "I've never been to Califomia or Laguna, 8 there are not too many bumps, because now the bikes are very, very fast. I hope to have a good surface, and then I don't think the layout JULY 13, 2005 • CYCLE NEWS I was about 12. We sneaked in - no passes or any of that stuff - and had a ball. I'm so pleased that it all came together to get the race here. I know a lot of people have worked real hard to make this happen. I just hope we can put on a good show." Max Biaggi: "I remember the track was pretty small, tight and thus very technical. The new bikes are more powerful than ever so it should be fun riding down there. I hope the safety conditions have improved much bikes at Laguna, a real 'riders' track. It's beautiful but also a little dangerous - at least in the past it was anyway. The first time I rode there Igot pole, and, obviously, I'd love to do as well with the Honda. One thing's for sure: Sunday's race will be one of the best events ever to have taken place at the track." Makoto Tamada: "This will be the first time for me on this circuit. My physical condition is good despite last week's operation. It will be hard, but as soon as I step onto my RC21 IV. the pain will go away. I absolutely must be back at last year's level more, because this was the real weak point because my objective is to improve on last of this circuit. Anyhow, racing in California is year's final result."

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