GOOD START FOR MARCO MELANDRI AT HOME TRACK
Toni Elias discovers Mugello
The Team FORTUNA HONDA riders were back on track today for
the first free practice sessions at the spectacular circuit
of Mugello, which this weekend welcomes the sixth round of
the MotoGP World Championship, the Italian Grand Prix.
Mixed weather conditions made life hard for the team at what
is a particularly special Grand Prix for them.
Marco Melandri has arrived at his home race feeling fully
motivated after his victory in the Grand Prix of France two
weeks ago. The Ravenna youngster, who has stood on the podium
four times here in the smaller categories, enjoyed the two
free practice sessions to improve his feeling for the bike.
It was also a good start for Toni Elias, who spent his time
studying a track that is new to him on a MotoGP bike, having
missed last year's race due to a broken wrist injury sustained
at Le Mans. The Spaniard has worked hard to find the right
setting and, specifically, improve rear grip.
MARCO MELANDRI (1'52"339, 7th): "I'm
satisfied with this first day of tests. We've worked hard
to improve the feeling with the front end and today we had
some more than positive feedback. The bike and the tyres worked
really well and alongside Michelin we started to make a few
tests which we will continue tomorrow. I'm feeling happy and
motivated - it will be a challenging but fun weekend here
in front of the Italian fans."
TONI ELIAS (1'52"789, 11th): "I
really like the Mugello circuit and this was my first time
here on a MotoGP bike today. It is a challenging track and
I just worked to try and find the best lines. Unfortunately
the alternation between sunshine and rain didn't help with
the set-up of the bike. We need to do some more tests in the
dry to understand thge bike better and resolve some of the
problems we had in the last race."
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