Pesek tips Marco as main man

Lukas Pesek has tipped title holder Marco Simoncelli to be the main man in the FIM 250cc World Championship.

Pesek, who has stayed with the Auto Kelly - CP team on Aprilia machinery for a second season, has also pointed to Alvaro Bautista and Alex Debon as the main challengers for Simoncelli's title.

"I think Marco Simoncelli and Alvaro Bautista will be the main men again, along with Alex Debon," said Pesek.

Ahead of a second consecutive full 250cc World Championship campaign Pesek has been working intensely to prepare himself to for what he expects to be a tough year.

Having been a race winner in 125s he found last season difficult as he could only manage 15th overall in the points standings.

Pesek has spent time on a motocross bike and also ridden supermoto and used skiing as part of his pre-season preparations.

But he expects difficulties competing with the factory machines as he is on a similar specification bike to 2008.

He said: "One thing which is not so good is that we are keeping the same model of bike as last year, which is an LE, not a factory bike, so I think it will be quite difficult to be in the top ten.

"I expect there to be around 13 or 14 factory bikes for me to compete against, so I would like to stay in the top ten and then I could say that would be a good job. I also want to fight around the front when I can, up towards the top five."