News

Did you expect Haga to get off to a Bayliss-like start in the championship?

"Yes, because I spoke to him a lot and I got the impression he would start the season well and with the right approach. Nori has looked calm and tranquil in these early stages, he believes a lot in the bike and the team and the results can be seen on the track, where he has interpreted all the situations perfectly and got the maximum out of them. When he didn't win against Spies it was because it was impossible and for this reason he never saw it as a defeat. His aim is to win the world title and he is racing with that in mind".

Were there a few fears that switching from an extrovert, communicative rider like Bayliss to someone who is basically the opposite might create an imbalance within the team?

"You can't sign Haga and ask him to be like Bayliss. They are two completely different characters, each one with his pros and cons. Troy was a lot more expansive but Nori is also lightening up and has already integrated well within the team. Out on the track, Bayliss was a rider who had to be calmed down and tranquillized, Haga has great self-control and generates a sense of tranquillity around him, especially now he has learnt to trust in the team".

Looking at the first three rounds of the championship, with three wins apiece for Haga and Spies, do you think the battle for the title will be a private affair between these two riders?

"It's very likely, because I think they have something extra over the others. But during the season there will for sure be other riders who can win races, Max Biaggi, Max Neukirchner and even our own Michel Fabrizio for example".

Michel had a great pre-season, then lost his way a bit but was back on it at Valencia: will that form be definite from now on?

"Some people might not agree with what I'm saying but I am convinced Michel has the potential to stay with Haga and Spies. The difference at the moment is that Michel must become more aware of what he is capable of. He takes to the track anxious to prove, instead he should calm down a bit and have more faith in his means, because he has the qualities".

A quick word about the new entries, Aprilia and BMW: do you think they have lived up to, down to or fully respected the expectations so far?

"They have done what I expected them to do, that is Aprilia competitive immediately and BMW playing catch-up. The real difference in the two situations has been experience: at Noale they know how to go racing, in Germany they still have to learn because they started from zero. In any case, both have invested a lot in their projects, and I'm sure that BMW will, like Aprilia, become competitive in the future".