SACHSENRING TEST FOR THE MOTOGP STARS
The German GP takes place at the Sachsenring for the sixth
time this weekend with mixed weather forecasts for Sunday’s
race. Friday saw intense heat at the German circuit with temperatures
in the mid 30 degrees. That made life difficult for the MotoGP
riders at the relatively short circuit – 3,671 m –
whose difficult characteristics were intensified by the conditions.
TONI ELIAS is continuing to feel the pains in his left hand
while Ruben Xaus fell in the afternoon qualifying session
despite looking comfortable during the morning. The two YAMAHA
FORTUNA riders, along with the rest of Herve Poncharal’s
team, also took time to congratulate the rider in the box
next door who was completing his 150th Grand Prix –
Valentino Rossi.
TONI ELIAS (24):
Free session: 18th -1.25.635 + 1.640 (23/29 laps)
Qualifying session: 16th -1.25.068 + 1.260 (29/29 laps)
“This is a very difficult circuit that we have more
problems at than normal. It’s a track with climbs and
falls… with only three right-hand turns that means my
left hand is suffering more than at other places. But the
intense heat is the same for everyone – although the
short track means it is different to other places. I am quite
satisfied with the times I posted in the first two sectors,
although in the second two I lost all the time I had made
up. We must not fool ourselves, though, we must work hard
to keep improving.”
RUBEN XAUS (11):
Free Session: 17th -1.25.349 + 1.354 (30/31 laps)
Qualifying session: 19th -1.25.456 + 1.648 (06/22 laps)
“This morning we resolved a couple of minor problems
we’d been having and were then able to start working
in the right direction. The hot temperatures this afternoon
prevented us from lowering the time from this morning, but
I believe I can improve tomorrow. The fall this afternoon
was a shame because we were looking to post our fastest time,
but it happened at a point where great riders like Rossi and
Barros have fallen before.”
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