Gibernau plays down winning potential
Added on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
Gibernau plays down winning potential
Sete Gibernau has admitted that he is not expecting to be in the upper reaches of the Championship in 2009 as he returns to MotoGP with the all new satellite Ducati.
The 35-year-old, runner-up to Valentino Rossi in 2003 and 2004, will return after a two year absence from the championship after retiring in 2006 with the newly-formed Onde 2000 Ducati team but has already dismissed his chances of completing amongst the championship contenders this season.
“I’m not back to win, I’m back to enjoy riding, knowing full well that you can’t compare the Sete from 2006 to the one of today,” Gibernau told Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I lack the confidence and many small things that make you go quick. I know that in order to be close to my 2006 levels, I need to work a lot more.”
The Spaniard, a veteran of 155 races, says he will stay in MotoGP as long as he continues to enjoy himself.
“As long as I enjoy myself. I’ve signed a contract for one year, we’ll see after that,” he added.
He also acknowledged the bikes have moved on technologically in the two year he has been absent from the sport.
“A lot: the Ducati is now a very competitive bike with a lot of potential,” he said. “Cornering speed is extremely quick and compared to 2006 there’s a lot more electronics.
“You must trust it almost with your eyes closed, and I still can’t do it. I think the rider should do certain things, while instead you must let the bike do it.”
Gibernau also went on to suggest that he may look to rebuild his friendship with Rossi, after falling out with the Italian in the final years of their battles.
“With Vale I enjoyed myself both on and off the track. Then life changes, but the experience is still positive. I did some fantastic races against a guy considered perhaps the strongest rider of all times. That for me is cause of pride.
“The relationship on a personal level was excellent for a while, then it changed, but I have big respect for Valentino. Perhaps now a good relationship can be rebuild again.”
