OPTIMISM AHEAD OF A TOUGH RACE
The Malaysian Grand Prix, which will take place tomorrow
at the Sepang circuit, promises to be a hard race for all
concerned. Today, the modern track was seared under scorching
sunshine (35º air temperature, 44º track temperature),
which forewarns a particularly tough Sunday where the physical
condition of the riders and tyre durability will be tested
to the limit. Loris Capirossi, who won the last round in Japan,
set the fastest time in the final MotoGP qualifying session,
while Valentino Rossi – who will get a second chance
to clinch a fifth successive world title on Sunday –
could only manage sixth position. The FORTUNA YAMAHA riders
continued to progress well as they have over both days and
will be optimistic ahead of tomorrow’s race. TONI ELIAS
went eighth fastest in the morning – just fourth tenths
of a second behind pace-setter Kenny Roberts - but had problems
adapting to his qualification tyres in the afternoon. However,
a good start should see the Spaniard up with the lead group
tomorrow. RUBEN XAUS made a big stride forward in the afternoon
session, clearly improving his times for the previous sessions.
The Spaniard looked more comfortable than ever on his Yamaha
and should be in the second group in Sunday’s race.
TONI ELIAS (24):
Free session: 8th-2.03.238 + 0.430
Qualifying session: 14th- 2.03.397 + 1.666
“In the morning we performed well and finished eighth
– we have to keep working like that and I feel like
more comfortable with the base we have now. It was a shame
we couldn’t make more of the qualifying although we
found a good rhythm with the race tyres and if we make a good
start tomorrow we can be with the lead group. It will be a
tough race, though, as most of the riders are going well.”
RUBEN XAUS (11):
Free session: 17th-2.06.289 + 3.481
Qualifying session: 16th- 2.04.010 + 2.279
“Yesterday we could not make full use of qualifying
because of the weather. This morning I did not feel too comfortable
with the set-up, but we made a few changes which helped straight
away and allowed me to improve my time with every lap in the
afternoon.”
HERVE PONCHARAL, Team Manager FORTUNA YAMAHA:
“Toni had a really good couple of sessions today –
especially in the morning when he was eighth fastest. He found
a good rhythm with the race tyres and just needs to make a
good start tomorrow. It was a shame he could not take advantage
of the qualifying tyres. Ruben also did well even though his
position is not the best. I think we’ll have a good
race tomorrow.”
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