GRAN PREMIO DE ESPANA
First qualifying practice / FORTUNA HONDA RIDERS
READY FOR SEASON OPENER
The long wait is over. The first day of practice for the
opening round of the MotoGP World Championship took place
today at Jerez de la Frontera. After the long winter of testing
the riders finally entered serious action today as they make
their final preparations for the first race of the season,
which takes place on Sunday. The rain that was present throughout
the morning did not leave the track in ideal conditions and
prevented the teams from completing the work they had planned
in the opening session. However, warm sunshine covered the
track in the afternoon and allowed normal proceedings to resume.
In general it was a good start for the FORTUNA HONDA riders,
who improved on the best times they set at this circuit only
two weeks ago.
MARCO MELANDRI (1’42”108, 6th fastest):
“We couldn’t make the most of the morning session
because of the weather but we did have some reference data
thanks to the recent tests here a couple of weeks ago. I am
satisfied because we have taken a major step forward today.
We have noticed an improvement and the Michelin tyres have
worked perfectly. The objective was to continue on the same
line of work to prepare the first race of the 2006 season.
We have been consistent and I think we can improve even more
tomorrow.”
TONI ELIAS (1’42”518, 10th fastest):
“The weather hasn’t helped us too much and we
preferred not to go out onto the track during the morning
session. In the afternoon we went out with the same set-up
configuration that we used during the IRTA tests. I still
have a wide margin for improvement and I have to pick up my
pace. I’m confidence and tomorrow we will be working
closely with the Michelin guys.”
OFFICIAL LAP TIMES:
1. V.Rossi (Ita/Yamaha) 1’41”613
2. L.Capirossi (Ita/Ducati) 1’41”625
3. D.Pedrosa (Sp/Honda) 1’41”798
4. S.Gibernau (Sp/Ducati) 1’41”798
5. S.Nakano (Jap/Kawasaki) 1’41”939
6. M.MELANDRI (Ita/Honda) 1’42”108
7. C.Edwards (Usa/Yamaha) 1’42”266
8. N.Hayden (Usa/Honda) 1’42”276
9. R.De Puniet (FR/Kawasaki) 1’42”455
10. T.ELIAS (Sp/Honda) 1’42”518
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