| Following a promising test after the race in Spain, | | | | target for the weekend will obviously be to |
| Nicky Hayden and Dani Pedrosa arrived at | | | | repeat last year's win, I'd be very happy with |
| Donington confident of putting in strong | | | | that." |
| performances for the upcoming British Grand Prix. | | | | "We always knew Barcelona would be one of the |
| Pedrosa, third in the riders' point standings, was | | | | hardest circuits for us. Now we are at Donington, |
| quite dominant last year at Donington. The | | | | which in theory should be much more favorable |
| Spanish phenomenon was fastest in all but one of | | | | because it's more suited to the characteristics of |
| the dry practice sessions. He also set pole position | | | | our bike. If it rains I think us Bridgestone riders will |
| and won the race at ease, having opened up a | | | | have a good chance," said Melandri of Honda |
| gap of seven seconds at one point. The | | | | Gresini team. |
| 21-year-old Spaniard also set the fastest lap of | | | | There is pressure on both Pedrosa and Melandri, |
| the race to record a new lap record of 1m | | | | but not quite on the reigning World Champion |
| 28.714s, over a second inside the previous lap | | | | Nicky Hayden who has not hit top form so far |
| record. The record is 0.450 seconds quicker than | | | | this season. Hayden has endured some poor luck |
| the fastest lap of any other rider. | | | | while trying to defend his title but his |
| The Spaniard arrived in a confident mood following | | | | never-say-die attitude could guide the Repsol |
| his strong third-place finish in the Catalunya race | | | | Champion like the Honda Accord mirror. His |
| two weeks ago. Pedrosa's Honda RC212V | | | | notable attitude and racing skills coupled with right |
| crossed the line less than half a second behind the | | | | driving conditions could work wonders. |
| winner. "Last year I had a very good time at | | | | "I can't wait to get on the track on Friday |
| Donington Park so I'm really looking forward to | | | | morning to find out if I made as much progress |
| going back there and trying for a repeat | | | | as I think I did on the Monday and Tuesday test |
| performance. We had a positive test in Barcelona | | | | in Spain. I really hope it will all carry over and that |
| after the last race and found a few things that | | | | I haven't just been fooling myself - anyway and |
| should help us, particularly some tyres that we | | | | we'll find out soon! Plus I'm fully over my injuries |
| tested for Michelin, so this gives us more | | | | from the Le Mans crash so I feel ready to push |
| confidence for the upcoming races," Pedrosa | | | | really hard. Donington is a pretty good track," said |
| noted. | | | | Hayden. |
| He added, "The Donington Park track is quite | | | | "On the Thursday before the race the Riders for |
| good, with two quite distinct sections, the flowing | | | | Health charity does some good fundraising work |
| first half of the lap and the stop-and-go second | | | | and we're bringing a few kids from the |
| part. This makes engine performance quite critical | | | | Make-a-Wish Foundation for the weekend too, so |
| to getting a good lap time. It can rain here too so | | | | I'm looking forward to that. Also we've got a few |
| I hope we get the same good weather we | | | | British 'lads' in my team and this is their home |
| enjoyed last year. The crowd is unbelievable here, | | | | track, so it would be nice to give them a good |
| especially in the last few years, and it's always | | | | result here at 'Paradise Island' as they call it," |
| good to see so many people at the Riders for | | | | added Hayden. |
| Health Day of Champions on Thursday. The | | | | |