Qatar Grand Prix- MotoGP 

Qatar ends three weeks of racing

This Saturday, the Qatar race will bring three frenetic weeks of non-European
races to an end, after having tested MotoGP teams to the limit. Malaysia saw the
title decided in Valentino Rossi's favour, with the battle for the overall
podium more open than ever. Alex Barros moved up the standings is Malaysia to
seventh, and there are six hopefuls for second in the world, with 20 points
separating them. It will be an interesting battle.

Sito Pons - Camel Honda

"Racing in Qatar a week after Malaysia will be like continuing at the same Grand
Prix, like beginning with a fifth practice session instead of a first.
Conditions will be practically identical. In the tests we did here with Alex
this winter we went quite well, having picked out a base set-up, and we hope
that this time we can use it to be up with the top riders. Shane meanwhile has
never ridden there, but at least he knows the bike better now and the track
isn't particularly difficult to learn. We hope that he continues to make the
progress we expect from him."

Alex Barros #4:

"I think that in Qatar we will find a similar situation and so it's possible
that we will find the same problems we had in Malaysia. The track will be dirty
and slippery on day one. I remember in last year's first practice I hardly
managed to get my knee down. So we hope that this year it will be a bit better
because the track is in fact nice and technical, I really like it. We also hope
that Michelin can bring something new, even though we will obviously be trying
to do everything possible to get a better set-up for the bike."

Shane Byrne #67:

"When I found out I would get this chance to ride the Honda, I thought to
myself, "Fantastic, I can get into the top ten, maybe even the top five!," but
after Sepang, I've got a better idea of where we are and also how the bike works
over a race and what it gives you. I don't know the Qatar track but we have a
programme for setting the bike up there. So I hope that this weekend will see
some more progress for us, I hope to be able to battle in the main group and
take a few points with a better result."