GOOD START FOR MARCO MELANDRI IN ENGLAND
FORTUNA HONDA rider Marco Melandri was in good form on the
first day of practice for the British Grand Prix Donington
Park. The Italian, who lives close to the circuit, showed
determined focus from the start of the morning session and
was consistently fast throughout.
In the first free practice Melandri set a best time of 1'29.480
with a consistent pace throughout the session, whilst in the
afternoon he stopped the clock at 1'29.196.
His team-mate Michel Fabrizio, standing in for the injured
Toni Elías , ended the evening session in fifteenth
place. The Italian rider made the most of the two hour-long
sessions to get used to the peculiarities of the Honda RC211V
machine.
MARCO MELANDRI (4th, 1'29"196): "I'm
happy because despite still suffering from injuries I picked
up in Barcelona I have been fast. I'm suffering but the pain
is now limited to the right side of my body - the collarbone,
arm and wrist. Since Assen the pain has actually got worse
and the characteristics of this track don't help. I'm really
finding it hard in the strong braking zones. I also broke
my right hand here two years ago and it still hurts so despite
all that I am happy with my performance. The bike is working
well and tomorrow I'll try and reserve some energy for Sunday's
race."
MICHEL FABRIZIO (16th, 1'30"762): "I
am very satisfied after the first day of practice. I took
things easy and just got to know the bike and the way it behaves.
I really enjoyed riding the fast part of the track and to
do it on a bike like this is an incredible feeling."
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