Gresini duo out to impress

Alex de Angelis and Toni Elías have similar personal agendas as they head to the Iveco Australian Grand Prix this weekend, with both riders looking to secure their immediate futures for the 2010 season.

Neither will ride for the San Carlo Honda Gresini team next year and strong displays at Phillip Island could not only help their future prospects, but also aid their individual quests to finish inside the top ten this campaign.

The challenging Australian circuit will provide De Angelis with the opportunity to get back in the points, after consecutive DNFs at Misano and Estoril.

“Alongside Sachsenring, Philip Island is my favourite track on the calendar, without a doubt. It is fast and flowing, which suits my riding style, and it gives me an opportunity to really get the full potential out of my bike in the fast corners,” said De Angelis, who currently sits twelfth in the Championship standings.

“After scoring zero points in the last two rounds we go there with the will and determination to do a good job and our potential is high so I’m confident.”

Elías, who has targeted seventh as his finishing spot in the Championship, sits tenth as the final three races of the season approach.

“Phillip Island is a wonderful track and I love it there, it’s a great track to ride when you’ve got traction,” said the Spaniard. “Unfortunately that has been our main problem at a lot of the circuits we’ve been to this season and I’m concerned we’ll be struggling this weekend because if you don’t have grip you can’t do the lap times. I’m expecting a difficult weekend but we’ll give it our best shot and see what happens when we get there.”