SETE AND MARCO READY FOR CHINA
 RAIN
SPOILS THE FIRST DAY OF PRACTICES AT THE CHINESE CIRCUIT
The Championship debuts on the very modern, science fictional
track of Shanghai, built just one year ago to hold the Formula
1 GP. This track can boast a record cost; the Chinese authorities
in fact spent over 250 million dollars to build the track
and its infrastructures. It is a spectacular sight that left
the MotoGP teams and riders speechless cause of the amazing
facilities.
From a technical point of view the track is complete and
presents a various mix of situations by alternating slow and
quick stints where the power and velocity of these bikes can
be used to their potential.
The peculiarity of this track is the two long straights.
The starting straight measures 1202 meters in length, the
longest of the entire championship, even longer than that
of the Mugello track which is 1141 meters long and Barcelona’s
which is 1047 meters. The track is also characterized by two
nearly 360º corners which will put the tyres to the test.
This morning the MotoGP free practice could start only at
12.30 because the helicopter ambulance arrived only at 11.40.
Positive debut for the riders of the Movistar team. Marco
Melandri did the second best time while Sete Gibernau did
the third best time of this morning session.
The rain spoiled the second session of free practice. The
rain started to fall in the early afternoon and the second
free practice of the day was on wet.
MARCO MELANDRI (2°, 2’02.485):
“It was a strange day because we started on dry and
then in the afternoon on wet, at the end of the session the
line has started to dry but the track was dirty.
I’m happy because we started well, working in the right
direction. This morning I had a good feeling on dry and I
had a positive feeling on wet during the second session. This
bike gives me a lot of confidence and confidence is the most
important thing to race on wet.”
SETE GIBERNAU (3°, 2’02.557 ):
“This circuit is spectacular but the track is not among
my favourites. The two straights are very long and quick but
the corners are not fast. We worked well but the rain spoiled
the second part of the day. I hope that tomorrow it will be
dry so that we can work for the best setting. As for the race
it’s important that is whether wet or dry.”
COMBINED FREE PRACTICE TIMES
1. Nicky Hayden (USA/ Honda) 2’02”327
2. Marco Melandri (Ita/Honda) 2’02”485
3. Sete Gibernau (Sp/Honda) 2’02”557
4. Carlos Checa (Spa/Ducati) 2’02”664
5. Valentino Rossi (Ita/Yamaha) 2’02”677
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