SECOND ROW FOR TONI ELIAS AT THE CZECH REPUBLIC GP
Superb ride from the Spaniard while Melandri will start from
the fourth row after finishing a good race rhythm
Fortuna Honda riders Toni Elias and Marco Melandri secured
sixth and eleventh places in the second qualifying session
for the Czech Republic GP and will start Sunday's race in
Brno on the second and fourth rows respectively.
Qualifying proved a very tight affair with the top eleven
riders all within a second of each other.
It was a fine result for Elias who, after the injury problems
caused by his fall at Assen, will be able to fight for victory
tomorrow.
Marco Melandri was relatively satisfied with his eleventh
place and is confident of being a major protagonist in tomorrow's
race.
TONI ELIAS (1'56"875, 6th): "I
am very happy with this result. After a good start to the
season, we had a series of races which were made difficult
by injury. But this is the result of a lot of hard work by
the team. There is a great spirit in the team and i want to
thank everyone for their effort. It will be important to make
a good start tomorrow and try to stay with the lead group."
MARCO MELANDRI ( 1'58"221, 11th): "In
the two practice sessions I was able to set a good race pace
and that means I can look forward confidently to the race.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to get the full potential out
of the RC211V with qualifying tyre. I am disappointed by the
eleventh position but I think I have found a good race rhythm.
It will be important to make a good start tomorrow and try
to make up positions and get to the lead group. The forecasts
are saying there will be rain but I hope to have a dry race."
TIMES:
1. V.Rossi (Ita/Yamaha) 1'56.191
2 L.Capirossi (Ita/Ducati) 1'56.441
3. K.Roberts jr(USA/Honda) 1'56.603
6. T.Elias (Sp/Honda) 1'56.875
11.M.Melandri (Ita/Honda) 1'58.221
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