First qualifying practice / LORENZO AND BARBERA ON PROVISIONAL
FRONT ROW IN ESTORIL
Second and third after the first day of qualifying, Jorge
Lorenzo and Hector Barbera have ensured they are up amongst
the front-runners from the beginning at this weekend's Portuguese
GP, a very important date for the Fortuna Aprilia team. Lorenzo
could clinch the 250 title at Estoril and the world championship
leader made a solid start to the weekend, finishing a little
over a tenth of a second off provisional pole. In the morning
free session, Lorenzo was third and Babera first, demonstrating
the fine form of both riders. The weather was kind to the
riders throughout the day at Estoril, although track conditions
less so with almost all complaining about the dirtiness of
the circuit following resurfacing work. Both Lorenzo and Barbera
will now look to improve their set-ups aead of tomorrow's
qualifying session.
JORGE LORENZO, 2nd - Time: 1’42.357 Laps: 22
“It always takes me a while to find my rhythm at the
start of qualifying, getting the tyres warmed up, crrying
a full tank etc...
The truth is that after all the interveiws I've given, I
really wanted to get back on the bike. Despite the fact I
like this circuit, it took me a while to start going as fast
as I wanted. I am more calm than ever despite the importance
of this race and I have no strategy. My tactics will be to
give everything all the way through the weekend and to believe
that my rival Dovizioso will have a good race. That way I
will not be able to lose concentration at any point.
Despite today's result, which is good, I am looking forward
to tomorrow. With two sessions I will be able to prepare to
ensure I go into Sunday's race in the best shape possible."
HÉCTOR BARBERÁ, 3rd - Time: 1’42.778
Laps: 23
“In general I'm happy as previously we were about 1.5
seconds off the front riders and here we have close that gap
quite significantly. We did a good job and have set up the
bike with winter settings - I immediately felt comfortable
and that showed in the times. The team are working well and
it comes through in our results."
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