Alto Evolution
- From: TRS Media | Published: February 22nd, 2008 - 8:39 am
The Superbike World Championship starts on this week to Alto Evolution Honda Superbike, with the first round in Qatar. The entire Team is focused about helping the riders to adapt themselves to the bikes and also about finding the right setting for the races. The first day at the paddock (Wednesday, 19th) was quite easy, and we had the opportunity to interview the riders and discover a bit more about their thoughts and expectations.
Alto Evolution: How do you feel about the idea of racing Superbike?
Shuhei Aoyama: “I feel very happy, because this was one of my dreams and this is a big chance for me. Also I can fight with big riders, like Biaggi, Haga and Kagayama-san, everybody.”
A.E.: Shuhei, you know this track, right? So, tell me, what do you like and what don’t you like in Qatar’s track?
S. A.: “ Actually, I don’t like Qatar’s track very much, because there is a long straight where it is difficult to find some information concerning braking. You know, around the circuit there is only the desert, so it is difficult to find the braking points, and everything.”
A.E.: And what do you like here?
S.A.: “I don’t know, in this moment I can’t tell you anything that I like in this track, because I have some experience here, this is the third time that I race in Losail and I haven’t found a good feeling yet. Besides, I don’t have any good results here, I should say everything quite negative, but this year I will find the way with the Honda CBR and everything will change. I hope we will be able to find this feeling and make everything changes.”
A.E.: And what are your feelings about the race?
S.A.: “Well, I need time to run this bike, to understand what I need, because we tested the bike twice (Almeria and Vallelunga tests), but the tests weren’t enough for me, I think also for the Team, so this race will be important for us because we must understand what the problems are and what we must do to solve them, and we have to do it quickly.
I wanna enjoy this race and also the 2008 season, and I wanna get good results. Honestly, I don’t feel much pressure here and I wanna enjoy it, I wanna walk with this Team, I am very happy to join Alto Evolution and also Superbike, it’s everything new, so I must change completely.
A.E.: What was your first impression about Superbike paddock?
S.A.: “Much different compared to Moto GP, because in Moto GP everybody is quite nervous and here there is a more relaxed atmosphere and I like this kind of feeling and I must enjoy it. For two years I was a 250 GP rider and everybody there was very serious and there was never laughing. I know this is racing, but sometimes I need laughing, I wanna enjoy the life!
A.E.: And do you think that this relaxing environment will help you to achieve good results?
S.A.: “Yes, I think so.”
A.E.: Just a last question: in your opinion, what do you need to reach good results?
S.A.: This is the most difficult question! (laughs) So, we must find good setting, tyres, everything. But sometimes we do find good setting, tyres and everything, but good results don’t come. I don’t know, I’m still looking for what I need to win.
Alto Evolution: Luca, please tell me what you like and what you don’t like in Qatar’s track, since you have already raced here once.
Luca Morelli: “Well, it has been two years that I do not come here. In 2006, I raced the 250 GP round with Aprilia. The track is beautiful, it is a fast one. A kind of track that I like, there are two big corners that can be well shaped. According to my point of view, if we find a right setup we can make a good race. There aren’t splits in this track that I don’t like and, as we are racing with the 2007 bike, maybe some information from last year can help us. But let’s see tomorrow how the things will be.”
E.V.: What are your aims for this round?
L.M.:“For this race the main objective is to achieve the points zone and to be among the first of the private teams. Actually, I think it is an objective for the entire season. There will be the Superpole, which will be really difficult, with the bikes and the teams we have around, but the aim is always the points zone”
A.E.: And what about the Team?
L.M.: “With the Team there is always more feeling, even if I still need to adapt myself. Each Team has its things, its particular way of organizing everything. Nowadays I am improving, I mean, I am growing up as a professional rider, because now I have found a Team that is helping me to find the right road. I am trying to improve and looking to get more feeling with the Team.
