GRAN PREMIO DE ESPANA
First qualifying practice / GREAT PERFORMANCE FROM
FORTUNA APRILIA DUO ON DAY ONE IN JEREZ
The Fortuna Aprilia team started the Spanish Grand Prix in
Jerez in the best possible style by achieving a superb double.
Hector Barbera and Jorge Lorenzo claimed first and second
position respectively on the provisional grid and the pair
– who were separated by just 23 thousands of a second
– were nearly half a second clear of the field. Both
riders had been amongst the leaders in the morning’s
free session which took place in slippery conditions due to
some rainfall overnight. In the afternoon, in the official
qualifying session, the dominance of Hector and Jorge was
total, demonstrating that they are two of the leading candidates
for the quarter-litre title.
HECTOR BARBERA (Time: 1'44.561, 21 laps)
"I think my provisional pole position was a surprise
for nearly everyone, except for me. I believe in my chances
and think I am capable of being up at the front even though
my results last year left me in the second tier of riders.
My objective is to enjoy myself on the bike and to try and
go faster all the time. If I do that, people will have to
start taking notice of me, although it’s always easier
to ride without pressure rather than with the obligation of
having to win like the others. Technically we are at a high
level, we had two sessions without any problems and ended
up in first. Tomorrow I hope to stay in pole and prepare for
the race without any difficulties.”
JORGE LORENZO (Time: 1'44.584, 19 laps)
"I was not very smooth today. We used ‘identical’
as the ones from the IRTA test, but we could not manage the
same times. I did not feel at ease and the times just wouldn’t
come. Conditions in the free session – which were slippery
as the track wasn’t dry – prevented me from getting
my confidence. I wasn’t going 100 percent at any point,
but I’m not worried as I know I can be much more competitive
and have plenty more to come. A rider’s frame of mind
is fundamental to his performance and today I didn’t
perform as I wanted.”
Fastest lap: Hector Barbera 1'44.561
Circuit record: 2005 Daniel Pedrosa 1'42.868
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