GRAND PRIX OF CHINA
Free practice / RAIN HITS FIRST DAY OF QUALIFYING
AT CHINESE GRAND PRIX
The rain, which was present throughout the day, dominated
the first day of qualifying at the 2006 Grand Prix of China.
Just as forecasts had predicted the riders had to adapt to
wet conditions as they got their first taste of the Shanghai
International circuit. FORTUNA HONDA riders Marco Melandri
and Toni Elias ended the day in sixth and fifteenth positions
respectively. After his spectacular race in Turkey, which
saw him claim a first victory of the season, the Italian rider
managed 21 laps as he attempted to get to grips with the Chinese
track designed by Herman Tilke. Team-mate Toni Elias, who
completed the same number of laps, spent the day trying to
make improvements to the set-up of his bike. Forecasts are
predicting more rain tomorrow.
MARCO MELANDRI (2’10”411, 6th, 21 laps):
”Despite the conditions that we had to lap in, I feel
very satisfied with my work. We had a good set-up to work
from and that helped. Ten minutes before the end of the session
we made a small change to the rear suspension which did not
give us the results we had hoped for. But I am satisfied and
think we have taken a step forward in these conditions. I
think forecasts are saying it will be overcast for Sunday’s
race, if that is the case we’ll have to work with Michelin
and use the experience we gained last season. I am happy,
we have a good base to work from.”
TONI ELIAS (2’12”807, 15th, 21 laps):
“It was quite a hard day - we worked hard to improve
my feeling with the bike. We can still improve the rear end
of the bike in these conditions. I am not happy, but know
there is still another day of qualifying, and what’s
more I rode a good race here in the wet last year.”
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