QUALIFYING PRACTICE – QATAR GRAND PRIX - LOSAIL
CAMEL YAMAHA RIDERS MAKE PROGRESS AHEAD OF DESERT
BATTLE
Camel Yamaha Team riders Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards
improved the setting of their Yamaha YZR-M1 machines for tomorrow’s
Grand Prix of Qatar despite struggling for a fast single lap
in this afternoon’s qualifying practice. Whilst both
riders again demonstrated encouraging pace on race rubber,
the improved rear grip offered by the qualifying tyre at the
end of the session exaggerated the remaining traces of vibration
problems and prevented them from mounting a serious challenge
for a front row start.
Rossi was the quickest of the pair, clocking the sixth fastest
time to seal a slot on the second row of the grid. Edwards,
meanwhile, was just over a tenth of a second outside the time
set by his team-mate and will start from just two places behind
him in tomorrow’s 22-lap race, which starts at 15h local
time (14h CET). Leading the way from pole position will be
Australian youngster Casey Stoner (Honda), who produced a
record lap of 1’55.683 to surprise the rest of the field
in only his second MotoGP appearance. Loris Capirossi (Ducati)
and Toni Elias (Honda) complete the front row.
VALENTINO ROSSI (1’56.076, 25 laps)
"The problem is that when the grip comes up we push
more and the bike vibration comes back, so we couldn’t
use the full potential of the qualifying tyre today and I
am only sixth. Anyway my rhythm is not so bad and there are
many riders close together so I think it will be a good battle
tomorrow. I am very surprised by Stoner and I would like to
give him my sincere congratulations. He has been very fast
all weekend and he used the qualifying tyre to 100%, even
better than Loris, who has a lot of experience. Loris is in
good shape again but I think the guys to beat are the young
Honda riders – Stoner, Elias and Pedrosa. Tomorrow we
will see but it should be interesting”.
COLIN EDWARDS (1’56.230, 22 laps)
"We definitely made the bike better from yesterday and
even this morning. We’re still struggling with a little
bit of vibration but the problem is continually reducing and
I think we’re on to something with the setting. We’ll
make a few small changes in the morning but it’s a fine
line between what could work and what definitely doesn’t
work so we have to be careful not to go backwards. My race
pace is okay but I’m not going to lie – it was
hard work. If the other guys were doing 1’57s I’d
be delighted but I think we’ll have hold it in the 1’56
mark during the race to come out with a top result. It’s
going to be tough but if we can make a small step in the morning
we’ll be ready”.
DAVIDE BRIVIO – CAMEL YAMAHA TEAM DIRECTOR
“We have had less problems here than we had in Jerez
but the situation is still not perfect. The qualifying session
did not go very well for us but both riders have a decent
race pace and I think they are in good shape for tomorrow.
It will be hard because no doubt the young riders will push
hard from the start. It will be a close battle at the front
but I think we can be a part of it“.
|
