Le Mans, France, fifth MotoGP round
Qualifying, Saturday May 17th 2008
 FIFTH
AND SIXTH ROW AT LE MANS FOR TONI ELIAS AND SYLVAIN GUINTOLI.
FRENCH LIVERY IN TOMORROW RACE FOR THE ALICE TEAM
Hard day of work for the Alice Team riders, Toni Elias and
Sylvain Guintoli, who are working intensively to solve the
problems that are limiting their performances. The Alice Team
pair, despite the improvements registered lap after lap, it
didn’t make it to take the necessary step in this weekend,
after the discreet performances done in China by Toni Elias,
where he concluded in eight position. The Spanish rider has
finished in fourteenth position in the last fast lap at his
disposal, positioning in front of Alex de Angelis, his teammate
Guintoli, Marco Melandri and Anthony West.
In honour of the Alice Grand Prix of France, the Alice Team
bike will have a “special dress” tomorrow, with
the French flag colours, blue, white and red, on the livery.
An extra motivation for French rider Sylvain Guintoli, who
will try his best to don’t disappoint his supporters.
Fabiano Sterlacchini – Technical Director
“We have tried many things, both in the morning and
afternoon. Some modifications have given us good results,
allowing us to have a 1’35.500 rhythm in the afternoon
session with Toni. We need to improve by half of a second
to make it to be with the top ten riders. Toni is looking
for the right confidence with the bike. We know it’s
not easy, but we believe to be able to help him to give his
best soon.”
Toni Elias – Alice Team rider (14th best lap
time in 1’34.561 – Total laps 23)
“I am stubborn and I don’t give up. Today we
have improved, but surely not enough to be competitive. The
Team is working well, but in the weekend of race is not possible
to make big improvements. We must use the time at our disposal
to try different tyres and the adjustments for the race. The
weather forecast are changing hour after hour, but I hope
there will be a dry race tomorrow to allow me to get used
to my Ducati even more.”
Sylvain Guintoli – Alice Team rider (16th best
lap time in 1’34.747 – Total laps 26)
“We are too far from the firsts. I am still trying
to adapt to the bike. It’s not easy, especially on this
circuit. In tomorrow warm up we must complete as many laps
as possible. The race can be really strange here. If I start
well, I can try to stay with the fastest riders. Moreover,
the weather changes really quick here, even if the forecast
indicates a dry race for the afternoon.”
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