Zoom Alex de Angelis

After the groundbreaking Grand Prix of Qatar under the floodlights of the Losail circuit, the MotoGP World Championship returns this weekend (28th-30th March) for the second round of the season, the Grand Prix of Spain at Jerez de la Frontera.

Team San Carlo Honda Gresini cannot wait to get back on track in what is the first European event of the season; their objective to reproduce in the race the potential shown in practice in Qatar by both Alex De Angelis and Shinya Nakano.

A crash in his debut premier-class Grand Prix has done nothing to damage the confidence of San Marino's De Angelis. The rookie has the potential to match the performances of his fellow debutantes in Qatar and in Jerez he aims to show just that.

The same applies to Nakano, who picks up the points quest at a technical circuit where he has enjoyed success in the past. The Japanese star has used the extra weekend off to move to Romagna, close to the team's base, where he was able to visit for the first time.

#15 ALEX DE ANGELIS
“We'll be able to work calmly during practice at Jerez to try and prepare as well as possible for the race, because during the IRTA test we were able to gather a lot of data. We also start the weekend knowing how the bike and tyres will perform, so I'm sure we'll be able to work well, as we did in Qatar. I like the track a lot – a few of us rode here a few days ago on road bikes at the presentation of a new Bridgestone tyre. It was a nice experience and for the first time I was really able to appreciate how our MotoGP bikes have evolved compared to street bikes, which are still great. As far as my crash in the first Grand Prix is concerned, it was obviously a bit disappointing but it would have been much worse if we hadn't shown that we can go fast. In Qatar, during the test and the weekend of the race, I was always just outside the top five and that's important. The crash is behind me now.”

#56 SHINYA NAKANO
“In a way you could say that my 2008 season starts properly at the Grand Prix of Spain! Racing at night in Qatar was enjoyable but it was a special Grand Prix, difficult to really understand. The track conditions were very different to normal and my feeling with the bike wasn't 100%, which was also partly to do with the crash in practice. Thirteenth place wasn't the result we were expecting but Jerez will be another story: I like the circuit because it is so technical and in the past I have performed well in qualifying and in the races. I won't deny it, my objective is to finish in the top six. Since Qatar I've spent my first days in Italy in an apartment the team have made available to me – it's close to the team, the Misano circuit and the beach: in a word it's perfect! I've also visited the team's racing department and I was really impressed – I understand even more now that Gresini Racing really is a big family.”