Solid start to Japanese proceedings for Alice Team

The 2008 season has not been an easy ride at times for the Alice Team, but there were some good signs early in the A-Style Grand Prix of Japan weekend for Sylvain Guintoli and Toni Elias on Friday.

Sylvain Guintoli - sixth

`We were competitive today in wet and dry track conditions. This gives me a lot of confidence for the rest of the weekend. We are really fast on this track apart in the third section where I need to improve my riding style. The bike is very competitive here. My results have improved a lot in the last few races and I hope this will allow me to find a good bike to race next season.´

Toni Elias - ninth

`I am very happy because today I have improved my performance on the wet surface. When the track dried out I encountered some problems and I have to improve a lot, but we are already in a good position, not too far from the best. Tomorrow the weather should be better and this will allow us to improve our lap times with the dry track.´