TROY BAYLISS TOPS THE TIME SHEETS IN FIRST QUALIFYING AT
MISANO
 with
scorching track temperatures that rose as high as 53°C,
the Ducati Xerox riders Troy Bayliss and Michel Fabrizio faced
a very physical challenge during today's sessions at Misano.
Already off to a flying start in this morning's free practice
session, Troy Bayliss continued to make storming progress
in first qualifying this afternoon, to conclude the session
at the top of the time sheets with a fastest lap time of 1m36.8s.
The only rider on track to lap in under 1m37s today, Bayliss
set a new best lap at this "new" circuit (the track
configuration having been recently modified). As the Australian
rider has a history of victories at the Santamonica track,
he hopes to repeat those performances once again come race
day.
Michel Fabrizio finished the free practice session in third
place but then struggled a little during the afternoon's qualifying
to conclude today with the fourteenth fastest time, with just
over one second separating his time from Troy's.
Troy Bayliss 1m36.8s
"I was reasonably happy with today. This track is like
a home track to us so we feel under a bit of pressure to do
well, and also because I've done well here in the past. I'd
say we're satisfied with the changes we've made through the
day and I reckon we've done a good job. It's hard due to the
heat of course so I'm trying to look after myself and keep
as cool as possible."
Michel Fabrizio 1m38.0s
"It's all going ok. This morning we were going well and
I felt pretty comfortable on the bike from the start of practice.
Then this afternoon I just got a bit agitated I think and
it just didn't go as well. There were no technical issues
with the bike or anything, and it wasn't really the heat affecting
me either, I just didn't feel quite right. Anyway, tomorrow's
another day and we will definitely go faster."
TIMES: 1. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 1m36.8s;
2. Smrz (Ducati) 1m37.1s; 3. Corser (Yamaha) 1m37.2s; Biaggi
(Ducati) 1m37.4s; 5. Haga (Yamaha) 1m37.5s; 6. Laconi (Kawasaki)
1m37.5s..... 14. Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) 1m38.0s
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