GP OF MALAYSIA
Free practice / FINAL STRETCH UNDERWAY IN MALAYSIA
The sound of MotoGP four-stroke machines bellowed around
the Sepang circuit today after a three-week break as the first
day of practice for the Malaysian Grand Prix got underway
in searing heat. FORTUNA HONDA riders Marco Melandri and Toni
Elías endured something of a difficult day and were
forced to settle for eleventh and sixteenth place respectively.
Marco Melandri, who enjoyed a positive first session in the
morning, when he lapped fourth fastest, suffered a crash in
the afternoon which he blamed on the fatigue caused by the
demanding climatic conditions. His team-mate Toni Elías
spent the day working through a series of set-up difficulties
that prevented him from setting a better lap time.
MARCO MELANDRI (11th , 2’03”248):
“In the morning we did a good job but in the afternoon
when we tried something new we didn’t get the result
we were hoping for. Despite that I am still confident I can
have a good race on Sunday. We’re not far off the top
times and we have room for improvement. Ten minutes from the
end of the session I got the wrong gear and crashed but luckily
I wasn’t hurt.”
TONI ELIAS (16th, 2’03”908):
“It’s been a tough start, especially because
of the difficult conditions we had to ride in today. We still
have a day left and we need to use it to improve on my speed
through the corners. I’m confident and I think we can
look forward to a good race.“
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