Gresini staying calm over Alvaro Bautista's struggles

Since the apparent breakthrough of the British Grand Prix, where Bautista qualified on pole position and ran with the leaders on the way to fourth, Gresini has had a miserable time.

Bautista took Jorge Lorenzo out at the start in the Netherlands, which led to a grid penalty in Germany. He then crashed repeatedly during the Mugello weekend, and finished a distant eighth in America, 50 seconds off the lead, complaining of front-end instability.

Gresini said Bautista's confidence was currently low, particularly following another accident in the Laguna Seca warm-up.

"After the crash in warm-up this morning it was important for Alvaro to finish the race here because it wasn't an easy situation for him," said Gresini.

"We have been suffering in the last few races and we need to help him find more confidence in the front of the bike. It is important we stay calm and work hard to achieve this because there is still a long way to go in this championship.

"Of course the crash this morning didn't help because yesterday it looked like we had the pace to have a good race."

He remains confident it is possible to get Bautista and his satellite Honda back among the frontrunners before the 2012 season is over.

"It is not an easy time for Team San Carlo Honda Gresini but we have to be patient, look forwards and stay positive because at times like this it is important to grit your teeth and do everything possible to turn things around," said Gresini.