RAIN AFFECTS FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE FOR BRITISH GRAND PRIX
Poor weather conditions affected the first day of practice
for the British Grand Prix, which took place at the Donington
Park circuit in England today. In the morning the Fortuna
Yamaha team riders Toni Elias and Ruben Xaus worked on the
set-up of their Yamaha M1 machines as they looked to adapt
them to the demands of the circuit. However, a spell of rain
prevented the riders from completing the day’s programme
in the second free practice during the afternoon. In the end
Toni Elias and Ruben Xaus had to make do with 15th and 18th
position respectively. In any case both riders are confident
of making improvements on the second day of practice, which
takes place tomorrow.
TONI ELIAS
1’31.904 seconds, + 1’944 from pole. 15th position
8/10 laps
“Today we couldn’t work on all the different
aspects that we would have liked. We also had a problem this
morning that delayed the programme we had in place. Later,
the weather conditions in the afternoon meant that we could
not make any further progress. My scaphoid is hurting quite
a lot – more than I had expected – but we all
know that it is not going to be a quick recovery. I’m
hoping to improve in every aspect ahead of Sunday’s
race.”
RUBEN XAUS
1’32.567 seconds, + 2’601 from pole. 18th position
12/13 laps
"I’ve found it a little difficult because my riding
style is not ideal for the characteristics of this bike. Lately
I’ve been having problems on new tyres and this morning
I crashed out even though I wasn’t pushing hard. We
have to continue working and I won’t stop until we find
the right way.”
Hervé Poncharal, Fortuna Yamaha Team Manager
“It wasn’t a very fruitful day although I think
the circuit is favourable to the Yamaha. The weather conditions
meant that we couldn’t carry out our entire programme.
Hopefully we can get some dry track time in tomorrow and make
the right preparations for Sunday’s race.”
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