Jerez MotoGP: Danny Webb eyes podium challenge

Danny Webb has targeted a career first podium finish in this weekend’s Spanish GP at Jerez.

The British rider’s confidence has soared after he led for more than half of last weekend’s Japanese GP at the Twin Ring Motegi.

He eventually finished 11th having gambled on running full wet tyres on a drying track, but the experience gained has given him hopes of a podium assault in Jerez.

Webb has also revealed that he had reverted back to 2008 spec Ohlins front forks on his Degraaf Aprilia having struggled badly in winter testing with the new ’09 front suspension.

Webb told MCN: “Last weekend was great for my confidence and I’m really fired up for Jerez. We went back to last year’s front forks in Japan and it really helped me a lot.

“I felt like my old self on the bike again. All winter I was having a nightmare with the front. I couldn’t get the bike to turn, but going back to the old forks has given my confidence back and the bike was holding a line.

“I’ve now got the stronger engine of this year’s bike and the handling of last year’s, and that is a really strong combination. Japan was a great experience leading and I’ve got a lot of confidence from that race.

“I know I can run at the front now and I’m looking to build on that race this weekend in Jerez. With the old forks in the bike now, I don’t have to worry about that anymore.”