Catalunya GP Qualifying practice
GAULOISES YAMAHA PAIR SET SOLID RACE PACE AT CATALUNYA
Gauloises Yamaha Team riders Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards
are confident of mounting a strong challenge in tomorrow’s
Catalunya Grand Prix despite suffering unexpected setbacks
in this afternoon’s single qualifying session, which
limited them to third and seventh place respectively on the
starting grid. Both riders set a fast and consistent race
pace throughout the day but, in the chase for a quick one-off
lap time in the intense afternoon sunshine, Rossi lost time
trying a tyre that did not work for him whilst Edwards was
held up by slower riders on a lap that would have almost certainly
put him on the front row of the grid. Despite the minor setbacks
the pair have confirmed their progress from a positive opening
day yesterday, making key adjustments to the bike settings
in order to find improved machine stability in the fast corners
of the sweeping Catalunya circuit. Tomorrow they will enjoy
the support of a predicted crowd of over 100,000 people, with
local favourite Sete Gibernau (Honda) starting from pole after
clocking a new outright record time of 1’42.337 this
afternoon. Gibernau’s team-mate Marco Melandri was second
fastest and will line-up alongside Rossi on the front row
of the grid for the 25-lap race.
VALENTINO ROSSI (1’42.723, 26 laps)
“Tomorrow will be tough for the riders in these conditions
and for sure 25 laps will make it a long, long race. For the
tyres it will be very hard work because this track is so demanding
on both the front and the rear, although the conditions were
better today than yesterday. We did a lot of work this afternoon
to fix all the problems and in the end I am happy because
we did a good job. I lost ten minutes in the middle of the
session testing a tyre that didn’t work, so we have
to work hard with Michelin because the tyres are so important
for this race. At end I didn't have time to use my last qualifying
tyre and I didn't ride 100% on my fast lap so I'm happy to
be on the front row and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.
”
COLIN EDWARDS – (1’43.109, 25 laps)
“I’m not happy with that at all – I know
I could have gone much faster. Santa Claus came early for
us last night and Michelin brought us a really good front
tyre, so my pace on a race setting was pretty good, in the
low 1’43s. At the end I put on a qualifying tyre and
went out for a warm-up lap, but then when I went for my lap
time I ran into three guys in the first corner who were just
sat there, looking around and wondering what to do. I tried
to take that lap slowly and save some rubber for another try
but the front cooled down too much and, even though I pushed
as hard as I could, I had no front grip. It’s a shame
because I know I could have easily done a 1’42.5, which
would have put me on the front row. I guess I’ll just
have to ride extra hard for the first few laps in the race…
again! ”
DAVIDE BRIVIO – TEAM DIRECTOR
“I think both riders are looking very good to meet
their targets in the race. Colin and Vale were both able to
make a very good lap time on their race setting so that is
very positive. For different reasons both riders were not
able to get the best possible result out of the qualifying
session. For Valentino it’s not so bad because he stayed
on the front row but Colin starts a little bit behind. There
are a handful of riders who have got the lap times to be at
the front and our guys are amongst them. It is a credit to
our team, who have done an excellent job in very hot conditions
this weekend. Hopefully it will be an exciting race!”
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