Bautista and Gresini buoyed by advancements

Alvaro Bautista is optimistic of a strong home race for the GO&FUN Honda Gresini outfit, but admits that the team is still struggling on corner exits. Despite that, both he and team owner Fausto Gresini have been encouraged by their latest developments.

After four races, Bautista is seventh in the championship courtesy of three sixth place finishes and a single eighth position. He now travels to Mugello ahead of the Gran Premio d’Italia TIM, for the sport’s first race in Italy since finishing on the podium in last year’s San Marino Grand Prix at Misano.

“We had a really good feeling for the bike at Le Mans, even though the conditions were particularly difficult in the race,” he explains. “We found a good wet setting and in general the team did a very good job, especially considering the fact that we were working off data from a less than perfect weekend last year there.

“This year we found a good feeling and were setting lap times in-line with the guys who finished on the podium and, even though I am still having some problems getting the bike out of the corners, we are making good progress with the bike in general. I have stepped up my physical training programme this week and enjoyed a really good weekend for my riders in the Spanish Championship - Maria Herrera, Dani Saiz and Juanjo Nunez - with Maria scoring her first win.”

Team owner Fausto Gresini shares his lead rider’s positivity.

“The feeling with the Showa suspension is improving from race to race and the excellent technical relationship we have with them is improving the bike and giving Alvaro more and more confidence,” Gresini says. “Our home Grand Prix is always a special occasion for the team and it will be important for our riders to perform in front of an Italian crowd. Alvaro is Spanish, of course, but he loves the Italian fans and I am sure he will do everything he can to give them something to shout about.

“Bryan (Staring, racing the team’s CRT bike) is also looking forward to the race and the motivation is there for him to put Le Mans behind him. He is making progress and the weekend in France will serve as a learning experience that will ultimately help him to improve.”

Gresini is one of only two squads running teams in all three classes of the World Championship. Its home weekend will feature a Saturday night social gathering to which all in the paddock are invited, featuring cocktails and appetizers.