ROSSI BACK TO HIS BEST AT BRNO
Valentino Rossi returned to dominant form today as the series
returned to action in the Czech Republic following a brief
summer break. The Italian was able to bounce back from his
Laguna Seca disappointment with a series of fast laps at the
Brno circuit after quickly finding a good base set-up for
his YZR-M1 machine. After lapping second quickest in the morning
practice, just 0.047 seconds behind series leader Nicky Hayden
(Honda), Rossi ended the day on top of the time sheets after
improving by almost two seconds in the afternoon – with
only Randy De Puniet (Kawasaki) able to lap within 0.5 seconds
of his best effort.
It was also a positive first day for Rossi’s Camel Yamaha
team-mate Colin Edwards, who started the day with one of his
two bikes configured with the same settings used by Rossi
on his way to victory and the circuit lap record last season.
The information immediately put the Texan on the front foot
and, after reacquainting himself with the YZR-M1 machine following
his recent exertions on a Superbike in the Suzuka 8 hour race,
he was also able to pick up the pace in the afternoon and
lapped fourth fastest.
 VALENTINO
ROSSI (1st – 1’57.871; 34 laps)
“Today was very positive for me because the bike worked
well from the start and then we tried some things that improved
it even more. We have experimented with some new suspension
settings to help the tyres work properly, especially the rear,
and they had the effect we wanted so I am happy about this.
This year has been difficult because we have struggled so
much in practice and then I have ended up on the third or
fourth row of the grid, so I am pleased to start off like
this. We also tried a qualifying tyre today, in order to give
us more of an idea about what we need to adjust tomorrow in
the afternoon session in order to challenge for a place at
the front of the grid. This is really why I am in first place
but anyway the race setting is also good and I was second
fastest in the morning practice too so we know we have the
pace. Tomorrow we need to continue working like this.”
 COLIN
EDWARDS (4th – 1’58.851; 38 laps)
“It’s strange that after all the bad luck we’ve
had this season we should roll up here at Brno and things
suddenly seem to be turning around! We turned up here today
and decided to start with two different settings – one
based on what we found in the test last year and the other
on Valentino’s 2005 race setting. I have changed my
riding style since then so I went out and tried both this
morning and basically Valentino’s setting worked and
mine didn’t! I felt really comfortable with that so
we went with it in the afternoon and just continued making
small modifications so that it suits me better. It’s
early days yet but it is important to get a good start and
also a relief to know that we are onto something good. Hopefully
the good work can continue tomorrow for both Valentino and
I.”
DAVIDE BRIVIO – CAMEL YAMAHA TEAM DIRECTOR
“It was a good start to the weekend and just what we
were looking for after the engineers worked so hard during
the summer. This is only the first day and we all know the
important thing is to continue like this and make sure we
are prepared for qualifying and the race but it is nice to
have such good result so early in the weekend. It looks like
the bike has responded well for both Valentino and Colin so
let’s hope it continues to do so. Today has definitely
given the team a boost and there is a very positive spirit
here but it is still early days.”
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