MotoReview

Nicky Hayden

"The track's got some really high speed stuff, some hard braking and then at the end of the lap there's some really slow first gear corners. Turn one is pretty wild and the fifth gear right hander at turn 11, which you take almost flat out, is about as good as it gets on a MotoGP bike. The last little bit of the circuit I don't like too much because it's a bit too tight for MotoGP - but the rest is pretty good. We're going to Turkey at a completely different time than last year and we'll find out how much difference that makes."

Dani Pedrosa

"In Istanbul you really notice the designer of the circuit also designed Shanghai, although I think that this is a much more balanced and varied circuit. It combines uphill and downhill sections and has good asphalt. It's quite wide and grip is not bad. It has some rather slow sections, but I guess it's because it's been designed with Formula 1 in mind. This weekend we need to do the same as always: try to understand the circuit as soon as possible and to find a good set-up for the race."

Casey Stoner

"The Istanbul track is a little strange with a combination of slow and very fast sections, so it is a compromise on set-up. There are also some hard braking areas but I feel comfortable with the track and I have good feeling with how far I can push. Hopefully the base set-up which felt so good at Qatar will transfer to Istanbul and I can be as competitive on the MotoGP bike as I was in 250s."

Toni Elias

"I'm heading to Istanbul feeling very motivated. My feeling with the bike improves from race to race and the test at Qatar confirmed that we're working in the right direction. Now I have to follow it up in the race with a performance that I believe justifies my potential. I have to try and take another step forward because we have not yet managed to achieve the results I am hoping for."

Marco Melandri

Melandri, winner here last year, said, "I would prefer to be heading into this event with a better performance behind me but I'm sure the feeling we found in testing will give me plenty of encouragement. The 2005 Grand Prix of Turkey was a truly memorable event and I can't ever forget the moment I crossed the line."

Kenny Roberts

Roberts has yet to race here. He missed out on a visit here last season due to injury and will be aiming to build on his solid start to this season.
"I'll have to get on the pace here quickly," he said. "We're moving forward with the bike and it's up to me to keep things going in the right direction."

Makoto Tamada

"I took advantage of the two week break to work on my concentration because it's important to be properly motivated at a difficult moment like this. I can only guarantee that I'll make the best use of my capacities to get good results. I like the Istanbul circuit and I hope the weather conditions will be favourable so that I'll have the best conditions in which to express myself."