Iida visits JiR workshop, views new Honda.
Yesterday (Wednesday) saw Japan Italy Racing welcome their president, Tetsuo Iida, to the new Konica Minolta Honda Team workshop in Verona, Italy - where both he, and rider Makoto Tamada, were also able to glimpse the team's 2005 RC211V for the first time.
"I'm glad to have the logistic head quarter here in Verona: first of all because it is sited in a tactical area, then, because this is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen," began Iida, who up until 2002 was the president of Honda Europe NV.
Yesterday (Wednesday) saw Japan Italy Racing welcome their president, Tetsuo Iida, to the new Konica Minolta Honda Team workshop in Verona, Italy - where both he, and rider Makoto Tamada, were also able to glimpse the team's 2005 RC211V for the first time.
"I'm glad to have the logistic head quarter here in Verona: first of all because it is sited in a tactical area, then, because this is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen," began Iida, who up until 2002 was the president of Honda Europe NV.
"In fact I came here 15 years ago and the beauty of this city amazed me. My first impression about the workshop has been really positive. Everything is brand new here and to my point of view this is one of the best workshops of all unofficial teams.
"Today we have also seen the new bike and all the staff members seemed really satisfied about it," he added. "Right now we all are really excited about this new adventure and hopefully, thanks to Tamada's performances, the excitement will remain in us until the end of the season.
"Even if this is a new project, we will try to end the season at the top of the world championship, and one of the main characteristic that will bring us there will be the strength of the combination between the Japanese and the Italian spirit," he concluded.
Tamada, along with his fellow Honda riders, will be riding the 2005 RCV for the first time during a three day test at Sepang later this week (February 11-13).
"Today I have seen the new bike for the first team and I truly liked it," said the double 2004 race winner. "This year we also have a complete new team. This is really stimulating to me and to be honest I can't wait to go to Malaysia to try for the first time my new bike.
"My main objective during the test on the Sepang circuit will be to familiarise with the technical changes from the past season. I will surely need some time, but I'm also more than sure that we'll be at our best when the season will begin on April 10th at the Spanish Grand Prix," added Tamada, who has switched from Bridgestone to Michelin tyres for the 2005 season.
After the second Sepang test of the year, the Konica Minolta Honda Team will fly to Australia to test at Philip Island from February 17 - 19.
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
