MotoReview

Links for the impatient

• Camel Yamaha
• D'antin Ducati
  
• Ducati Marlboro
• Fortuna Honda
• Kawasaki
• Konica Minolta Honda
• LCR Honda
  
• Repsol Honda
• Rizla Suzuki MotoGP
• Tech3 Yamaha

Camel Yamaha

We reckon: It was all going swimmingly for the Gauloises turned Camel Yamaha team throughout testing, until the final test of the year a couple of weeks ago at the Jerez circuit. A vibration problem appeared at the start of the test which apparently went unfixed. The team will be hoping to get it fixed during free practice on Friday, but even if it can't be solved we all know how good Rossi is at riding around problems.

Valentino Rossi: "We need to find more grip when the tyre is on the side. At the test our speed in the corner was down considerably in some places so, where we usually have an advantage with the Yamaha, we were behind. Anyway, now the Yamaha engineers understand what has happened and they have a lot of data and information to fix it for the race. I have confidence in them, in Jeremy Burgess and in Michelin and I know that when we can use our bike at 100%, as we showed in Barcelona, it is the best bike on the grid."

Colin Edwards: "It's been a pretty intense few months testing and I am really happy that we've finally made it to the first race - this is where the fun starts! The great result at the Barcelona Test was a massive confidence boost to me and a validation of all the hard work that everyone's put in, but we have to use it as a trampoline to bigger and better things. As everyone knows, we had a bit of a setback at the Jerez test but I've said from the first time I rode the new M1 that it's a great bike and pretty much better in every way to the old one, so I have confidence that we will be okay come the race."

D'antin Ducati

We reckon: The team ran by Luis D'antin will once again be taking part in 2006 on their hand-me-down Ducatis. Alex Hofmann has joined the team from Kawasaki and Jose Luis Cardoso returns from World Superbikes. The team are likely to become the back markers this year now that WCM have left MotoGP and Team KR have managed to get hold of a Honda engine.

Ducati Marlboro

We reckon: As usual, the Ducatis seem to have had very good pace throughout the winter tests, but it certainly isn't all down to qualifying tyres. Gibernau has a lot to prove this season and will surely be keen to turn his abysmal 2005 season into a distant memory. Both Capirossi and Gibernau have the chance to get a good result this year but before they worry about that there's the small matter of Jerez. If Sete can fight for the lead you can be sure he'll do all he can to avoid a repeat of his shunt into the run-off area last year, courtesy of one Valentino Rossi.

Sete Gibernau: "I can't wait for the season to start. It's not easy having the first race at home but I don't think I can ever remember an easy race in this championship. It's going to be a tough year but we are strong mentally and everyone's going to need that strength to keep going through the 17 races. I'm ready to fight and to give my all, and if we get the results, the payback will be amazing!"

Loris Capirossi: "I think we are well prepared for the first race. The team and Bridgestone are really strong at the moment, my bike feels perfect for Jerez after the set-up modifications we made during the final tests. It's not always easy to find perfect settings but the bike is great now, and hopefully what we learned during the last tests will help us at other tracks. The bike is better than before, the engine is more rider-friendly and the tyres have also improved a lot."