GRAND PRIX OF CATALUNYA
Free practice / PROVISIONAL POLE POSITION FOR ALEX
DEBÓN AND FOURTH PLACE FOR JORGE LORENZO
Alex Debón proved to be the surprise package of the
first day of qualifying for the Grand Prix of Catalunya as
he set provisional pole position for the 250cc race. The Fortuna
Aprilia rider was not planning to take part this weekend in
his role as official test rider for the Aprilia RSW250 but
an injury last week for Héctor Barberá meant
that he was called into action. Debón, who finished
fifth as a wildcard at Mugello two weeks ago, overcame the
challenge of the category’s regular riders with a time
of 1.47.231. Jorge Lorenzo, meanwhile, was almost six tenths
off the pace of his team-mate as he secured the final front
row spot in fourth place. The Fortuna Aprilia pair will look
to improve these times tomorrow as they sep front row starts
for the second race of the season to be held in Spain.
ALEX DEBÓN, 1st 1’47.231 Provisional
Pole
“It was a complete surprise to see my name in first
place because I’ve never scored a pole before –
not even a provisional one! This year my job was to develop
the RSW250 for Aprilia and only compete in three or four races.
I feel bad for Héctor but I think I have shown that
I can be up there myself on a competitive bike. I’m
still not at 100% but I’m lucky to be working with a
magnificent team and they will help me to progress.”
JORGE LORENZO, 4th 1’47.823 (+ 0’592)
“Today went badly and we have a lot of room for improvement
because we are a long way off the times I set here during
the IRTA Test in February. I’m not yet comfortable on
the bike and the problem is that we’re still not clear
where the solution lies. The track was a little dirty after
the rain but I don’t think that is why I am so slow.
I want to congratulate Alex Debón because he has shown
that he can be a top rider when he is given a top machine.”
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