Japanese Grand Prix - MotoGP 

Troy Bayliss will not race at Motegi

Troy Bayliss will not take part in the Grand Prix of Japan at Motegi after
injuring his wrist (Monday 12th September) whilst training on his motocross bike
in Australia. Only a series of closer examinations will confirm the length of
recovery time required by the Australian although he will definitely be forced
to miss the next race. It is a real shame for Troy that he is not able to
compete at a circuit that holds extra significance for the team. In fact, Sito
Pons' team have taken three successive victories at Motegi over the past three
seasons. Alex Barros, who will aim to repeat the feat this coming Sunday, began
the winning sequence in 2002, taking control of the Honda RC211V for the first
time and taking to the podium with team-mate Capirossi, who finished third. In
2003 Camel Honda celebrated pole position and a subsequent victory with Max
Biaggi in the team colours, whilst last year saw a repeat performance from
Japan's own Makoto Tamada, with another pole and victory combination, and who
completed the rout by setting a new track record.

Sito Pons - Camel Honda

"I am very sorry that Troy is being forced to miss a race where, as far as I am
concerned, he could have had a very satisfactory weekend. Motegi is the track
that our Camel Honda team has always known how to make the most of, and where we
have more wins than anywhere else. We have won every year for the last three,
with three different riders which shows how the whole team's work has proved
crucial. The first win came with Alex, in 2002, the first time he rode the
RC211V. Now he returns to the track with our team once again, and we will give
everything, as ever, because he could repeat the victory and continue the
winning sequence, whilst we hope that Troy can recover and return to the track
as soon as possible."

Alex Barros #4:

"I like Motegi, it's a track where I can look back at some great races, and not
just the win in 2002, when I rode this Honda four-stroke for the first time, but
also the podium from the year before. Last year's race was also good for me,
because after the first corner incident where lots of riders crashed out, I was
in last place, at the back of the group. The whole race was a fightback for me,
and finally I came fourth, just a couple of seconds off the podium, just behind
Nakano. We will try to make the most of the team's experience on this track, so
we can have another great race."

Troy Bayliss #12:

"There is not much I can say other than that I am very, very disappointed to be
forced out of this race. I was really looking forward to racing at Motegi after
the tests we completed at Brno and I was training on my own to try and be as
best prepared as I could. Now we will have to find out what treatment I need but
my objective is to get fit as soon as possible."