Words by: Graham and Debs.
Unless you have had your head buried in the sander the last few weeks, you will already know that MotoGP has come to Donington Park in the UK again. At the official Nickel & Dime MotoGP press conference held in London's Soho, we got the low-down from three world champions plus three up and coming British stars in the making. Texan Colin Edwards and Italian Marco Melandri give us a few minutes of their time and tell us how they think this weekend will go for them...
Talking to Londonbikers.com, Texan Colin Edwards noticed we were the only journalists in bike attire, said that he never rides on the road; "Two tonnes of vehicle coming towards me out of my control is not my idea of fun" he said. Passing his test at 16 years of age and cutting his teeth on an FZR 1000 back in 1990, he decided the track was the only place for him to ride. We mentioned the IOM TT races being on closed roads, he said that he was a spectator there a few years back and said, "There is not enough money in the world to make me race there".
His business with bikes is clearly track related and being a double WSB champion he really knows his stuff. Looking very much forward the weekend his outlook was hopeful but, not unrealistic. He explained the struggles they have had making the Yamaha perform for him with constant set up and tyre development issues. "Tyres that work for Valentino Rossi are shit for me," he quipped. Whilst keen on Donington, but not the wet, Colin had his hopes set for a dry race, we'll keep our fingers crossed for him.
Italian Marco Melandri who now resides in the UK, currently lies 4th in the championship. A previous winner at Donington he has been striving to get good feedback with his bike of late. The team have been working flat out to bridge the gap to the other teams since the delay of the bikes arrival.
"I can do three maybe four very quick laps before the tyres change, and then I struggle," said Marco, more help has been requested from Honda to improve their championship hopes. Marco agreed with Colin about the risks of road riding, but said he had been known to ride a scooter to the beach back home but only to beat the traffic! Although now used to the British weather, he would much still prefer a dry race for Sunday.
With limited time for personal interviews there was a group chat from the riders:
Dani Pedrosa:
The Spaniard is currently lying 3rd in the championship, dominated at Donington last year. He stated that this year they had a tough start, naming tyre regulations as a major factor. Things are obviously improving for him as was clear at the last round.
Bradley Smith:
From Oxford, the youngest British rider ever to finish on a GP podium, was jubilant after his third place in the 125cc race at the French GP. Being only 16 he has now finished his GCSEs, left school and can now focus on his riding. He said he felt more pressure for the Barcelona round as it was the Repsol team home but was looking forward to Donington, a track he has only ever been around twice! Bradley is hoping for another good result on the Honda.
Colin Edwards:
Quipped that Bradley was only half his age and stating that joining GP at 28 was a bit too late really. "Riding one of those Superbike couches too long doesn't help a GP rider. You need to start early and work through the classes".
Danny Webb:
Kent based lad who is also just 16 years old, is now with the Dutch based Team Molenaar finding it laid back, friendly & good fun. Only having ridden Donington once he was hoping it would go well and that they would pick up some more sponsorship to help the teams' progress.
Eugene Laverty:
The 21 year old Ulsterman, comes from a racing family. He has left the 'comfort zone' and leapt onto a 250cc GP machine. He has no regrets after joining this long term project with the prestigious Italian LCR Team. He has experience at Donington and said, "I will be doing the rain dance" knowing his own ability he was confident of a podium if wet.
The riders with 990cc experience were unanimous that the 800s feel slow. But with nine out of 10 tracks having their lap records smashed, their smoothness and cornering speeds more than make up for the lack of power.
Either way the battle for the podium positions will be hotter than ever this weekend, whatever the weather.
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