Gresini hopes Melandri can fight for title

The team unveiled their new RC212V and colour scheme at Jerez in Spain yesterday and hopes are high that 2007 will be a successful one for them.

"We've got a solid team made up of two young racers we have absolute faith in and who show great promise," said Gresini.

"There's Marco Melandri, world championship runner-up in 2005 and a major contender last year: with five wins and 12 podiums on our bike, he has been one of the main world title hopes over the past two years.

"We've won a lot together but we are aiming to go even higher. Marco has shown that he's a very talented rider, capable of amazing feats, who packs a powerful punch and has the will to win.

"We're proud that the project we set up together with Honda in 2005 is still going strong and flying our colours. This is the jewel in our crown that we're counting on in the title challenge."

Melandri believes that the Honda-Bridgestone partnership is good enough to fight right at the front.

"I look forward to start a new season," he explained. "I like a lot my new bike, in particular the rolling chassis. I've got faith in the potential of the Honda-Bridgestone package.

"We've got everything we need to compete at the top end of the championship. I feel well supported by all our partners. I'm very confident in our potential. I want to have fun and get my revenge"

Gresini also believes that Toni Elias will develop more as a rider this year, especially having gained in confidence after his maiden victory at Estoril last year.

"Confident as we are of his potential, our goal is to develop this young man's talents even further," he said. "Hopefully he'll carry on making the most of his trademark determination, as he did last year when he was rewarded with his first MotoGP victory at Estoril, the culmination of a race he dominated in true champion style."

Elias himself added: "I'm very confident. For me it was very important to keep on working with the same team, the same chief mechanic and all the guys.

"There is still a lot of work to do but I'm very confident. The win in Portugal gave me a major boost. My goal is to feel that amazing sensation again and to do battle with the main players every Sunday."