Catalunya GP Qualifying practice
READY TO RIDE IN FRONT OF HOME CROWD
Rubén Xaus and David Checa – who replaces the
injured Elías as in Mugello- will both ride in their
home Grand Prix tomorrow. The two FORTUNA-YAMAHA riders hope
to get some extra performance from being able to ride in front
of the masses of Spanish fans who will fill th Montmeló
stands tomorrow. Both riders are confident of making progress
in their adaptation to the team. For Checa it was an intense
day, given that in just two practice sessions he had to set
the bike up, after Toni Elías’ decision yesterday
to take no more part in the weekend due to his injuries not
being fully healed after his Le Mans incident.
Ruben Xaus (11):
(Free 3: 1.44.952, 16th +3.637 – 19/21 laps)
(Qualifying: 1.44.193, 16th +1.856 - 19/24 laps)
“We are improving daily. Today the step forward was
thanks to the qualifying tyre. It’s a shame that when
we put on the second set, there was a lot of traffic on track
and I didn’t get time to use a third. I think that tomorrow
I will be able to maintain a pace around 1.44. Last year I
was sixth here and both myself and the team are eager to improve
this result because we are all putting in a lot of effort
to make it happen.”
David Checa (94):
(Free 3: 1.46.493, 19th +3.637 – 24/26 laps)
(Qualifying: 1.45.310, 18th +2.973 - 24/25 laps)
“I’m happy with what I got out of just an hour
and a half on the bike. I enjoed my ride on the M-1 more than
in Mugello today, because I know it a little better. Tomorrow,
in the warm-up, I will make some small changes which should
give us some improvements. In any case, I’m lacking
confidence in the front end, although tomorrow I’m going
to give 100% so I perform well in front of all the fans.”
Antonio Jiménez, Chief Mechanic:
“David did a great job today. You can’t ask more
of him, above all taking into account the lack of time he
has had to set the bike up. Now we just need to work a bit
more in the warm-up. I’m sure I’ll do well tomorrow.”
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