GIBERNAU, READY FOR THE DRY OR WET
Marco Melandri solves set-up problems in the afternoon and
laps seventh fastest at Le Mans
FRENCH GP - MOTOGP FREE PRACTICE
Sete Gibernau ended the first day of practice for
the French Grand Prix in second place after clocking a fastest
lap of 1’34”290, whilst Marco Melandri started
off the weekend with seventh place, 0.9 seconds off pole.
The Spaniard returns strongly to a circuit where he has celebrated
victory for the past two seasons and is hopeful this can be
the turning point of his season. Marco Melandri is aiming
to defend second place in the championship standings, although
his weekend began with some set-up problems at Le Mans.
Both riders began working this morning using their set-up
from last season, gradually changing their base settings throughout
the session and adapting them appropriately to the updated
RC211V 2005.
The riders had just one and a half hours of dry track time
today, with rainfall interrupting their programme some 30
minutes from the end of the afternoon session. Lap times are
already close to the circui! t record established by Max Biaggi
last season but are still a long way off Gibernau’s
pole record of 1’33”425.
SETE GIBERNAU (2nd, 1’34”290):
“After the problems we had in China we’ve arrived
here feeling very motivated and we have started the Grand
Prix in positive fashion. The weather hasn’t helped
but I’m ready to race in any conditions. We’ve
been competitive in the wet and the dry.”
MARCO MELANDRI (7th, 1’35”125):
“It was a difficult day because the weather prevented
us from completing everything we had planned. We started off
with a few problems this morning which we analysed at lunchtime.
The setting was better in the afternoon but we didn’t
have much time to adjust it because it started raining about
half an hour from the end of the session. I completed a few
laps in the wet and tomorrow we can continue working with
a few clearer ideas”.
COMBINED FREE PRACTICE TIMES
1. Alex Barros (Br/Honda) 1’34”171
2. Sete Gibernau (Esp/Honda) 1’34”290
3. Max Biaggi (Ita/Honda) 1’34”618
4. Colin Edwards (USA/Yamaha) 1’34”701
5. Valentino Rossi (Ita/Yamaha) 1’35”067
6. Shinya Nakano (Jap/Kawasaki) 1’35”067
7. Marco Melandri (Ita/Honda) 1’35”125
8. John Hopkins (USA/Suzuki) 1’35”127
9. Carlos Checa (Esp/Ducati) 1’35”206
10. Nicky Hayden (USA/Honda) 1’35”359
THE TRACK
track record: 2004 Max Biaggi (Ita/Honda) 1’34”088
pole position: 2004 Sete Gibernau (Spa/Honda) 1’33”425
2004 race: 1°Gibernau (Honda) 2° Checa (Yamaha) 3°
Biaggi (Honda)
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