Konica Minolta predict breakthrough

Rider Shinya Nakano has struggled to acclimatise to the 800cc Honda all season and has yet to finish above 10th since joining the team from Kawasaki.

But team manager Gianluca Montiron expects Nakano to be much more comfortable at Donington Park.

"During the test in Catalunya we found some improvements and I hope that at Donington Park we will see improved performance as a result," said Montiron.

"I think following the Catalunya test Shinya has more confidence in the balance of the machine, so now he and the team need to find the best setting as quickly as possible so we're fast from the first practice session and this is our main target.

"We know what the main problem with our technical package is, but we're confident we are working in the right direction to improve things.

"To make some big technical changes hasn't been possible recently as we've had a busy month, having four races scheduled for June, but we have had improvements from our tyre partner, Michelin, which is helping considerably."

Technical director Giulio Bernardelle believes Konica Minolta will also benefit from Donington's twisty nature, as engine power is not as significant at the British venue.

"We think that this track could be one of the best for our machine, as it's not really a high-speed circuit," said Montiron.

"We're very optimistic about the event as at the Catalunya test we found some new 2007 front fork settings and as a result Shinya is feeling much more comfortable with the machine.

"I think for this reason we can expect to have a better result than we have so far this season.

"Also, at Donington you have lots of fast corners, so if the rider has a good feeling with the front of the machine you can get a good lap time. So for this reason we should make a real improvement."