GERMAN GRAND PRIX
First qualifying practice / ANOTHER 1-2 FOR THE FORTUNA
APRILIA TEAM WITH LORENZO FIRST AND BARBERA SECOND
The Fortuna Aprilia team began in strong style at the Sachsenring,
scene of the German GP this weekend. Jorge Lorenzo and Hector
Barbera secured another 1-2 in the 250 class, finishing some
half a second ahead of the third-placed rider. Lorenzo secured
provisional pole, which sets him up for a seventh pole of
the season, edging out his team-mate by 36 thousandths of
a second. The Mallorcan rider led the field for the majority
of the session, always keeping his rivals at arm's length.
In the closing stages he had to ease off the pace when on
a flying lap as he saw closest championship rival Andrea Dovizioso
- who was tenth at the time - trailing him and trying to secure
a vital advantage. Barbera, completely recovered from his
hand injury, was the only rider capable of seriously challenging
him despite some front end problems.
JORGE LORENZO, PROVISIONAL POLE Time: 1’ 25.124</B
>
"I have taken provisional pole but am still convinced
I can lower my time by more than half a second. This a difficult
track to find the right set-up as you spend a lot of time
leaning. It was hard work to lap today and I could not always
accelerate as I wanted, problems we must solve tomorrow. I
am in great form at the moment and I must take advantage of
it, but I don't see this race as any more important than any
other. All the races are important and I'm still not thinking
about the championship lead."
HECTOR BARBERÁ, 2nd Time: 1’25.160
"I feel a little pain in my hand, but it's not preventing
me from riding at 100 percnet. I posted a good time, mostly
because we improved the front end set-up. It's seems although
we have found a solution to the problem of the last few races.
I could have gone a bit quicker, but it's not bad for the
first day. In Donington I went into the race on the back foot
because I didn't know how the hand would respond, but it's
different here and I will be going out with the objective
of winning."
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