Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Team boss wants move to improve race pace in Sachsenring and Donington.
San Carlo Honda Gresini boss Fausto Gresini has pinpointed Sachsenring as one of the circuits at which rider ability is most paramount to success, and has not minced his words in his expectations for Toni Elías at the German track. The Spaniard has finished inside the top ten on just three occasions since his move back to the satellite outfit and, despite a lack of updates for his factory spec bike, has pressure to show his talent this weekend.
Particularly pressing for Gresini is moving Elías onto a level playing field with the other riders in the premier class, rather than the unorthodox approach taken by his charge thus far in 2009. The rider’s unconventional tyre choice will come under special scrutiny.
“We have made some big steps forward recently with Toni but we know there is much more to come because in Laguna Seca, for example, we were still using the softer tyre whereas our competitors are on the hard rubber,” explains Gresini. “It is important for us to transfer his performance to the hard tyre so that he can take that extra step in terms of his pace over race distance and this is our target for the next two races.”
Elías’ previous results at Sachsenring have not been the most impressive on his résumé, but he gives his own explanation for difficulties at the circuit.
“To be honest I don’t like Sachsenring much, but looking back I have raced there injured on three occasions so maybe that’s why I don’t have good memories or good results to reflect on!” he analyses.
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