GRAN PREMIO DE ESPANA
Qualifying practice / TONI ELIAS TO START FROM SECOND
ROW AT HOME GRAND PRIX
Toni Elias’ adaptation to the Honda RC211V continued
in fine style today as the Team Fortuna Honda rider began
to reap the fruit of his hard work during the winter tests.
Tomorrow he will celebrate his 23rd birthday by starting from
the second row of the grid in the Grand Prix of Spain. After
working well in the morning free practice, the afternoon qualifying
was an exciting affair. Oil left on track by Ducati rider
Alex Hofmann caused several riders to crash, including Toni
Elias. Fortunately there were no serious consequences for
the Manresa youngster and he was able to return to the track
on his second bike. It was a positive session for Elias, who
improved his pace and enjoyed himself on the qualifying tyre
with the sixth fastest time. It was an intense day for his
team-mate Marco Melandri, who continued to work on finding
the best set-up for his RC211V. After setting the fastest
time in the morning free practice, Marco worked mainly on
his rear tyres in the afternoon before setting the seventh
fastest time – enough for the third row.
TONI ELIAS (1’39”875, 6th fastest):
“I’m really satisfied with the result. After
the good job we did this morning I have to say that I set
my sights on a front row start. I’m in the right shape
to have a really good race. Tomorrow it will be important
to get a good start. I’m highly motivated – the
support from the Spanish fans will be like an extra gear.
The bike is working well and I have improved my pace. It is
a shame about the crash at the start of qualifying, which
was a bit of a setback because I had to continue with my second
bike.”
MARCO MELANDRI (1’39”932, 7th fastest):
“It was an intense day. Qualifying started with a multiple
crash which delayed things. It also made me ride a little
cautiously because there was oil in the Nieto corner which
got in the way of the normal racing line. My priority today
was the set-up of the bike. We tried a few different settings
as well as testing the tyres. Tomorrow will be a really nice
race, very combative, with a lot of riders in the fight for
the podium.”
QUALIFYING PRACTICE TIMES
1. L.Capirossi (Ita/Ducati) 1’39”064
2. S.Gibernau (Sp/Ducati) 1’39”285
3. S.Nakano (Jap/Kawasaki) 1’39”526
4. N.Hayden (Usa/Honda) 1’39”666
5. D.Pedrosa (Sp/Honda) 1’39”734
6. T.ELIAS (Sp/Honda) 1’39”875
7. M.MELANDRI (Ita/Honda) 1’39”932
8. R.De Puniet (FR/Kawasaki) 1’40”146
9. V.Rossi (Ita/Yamaha) 1’40”160
10. C.Edwards (Usa/Yamaha) 1’40”181
...
|
