FORTUNA HONDA RIDERS READY FOR SEASON OPENER
First day of practice
The long wait is over. The first day of practice for the
opening round of the MotoGP World Championship took place
today at Jerez de la Frontera.
After the long winter of testing the riders finally entered
serious action today as they make their final preparations
for the first race of the season, which takes place on Sunday.
The rain that was present throughout the morning did not
leave the track in ideal conditions and prevented the teams
from completing the work they had planned in the opening session.
However, warm sunshine covered the track in the afternoon
and allowed normal proceedings to resume.
In general it was a good start for the FORTUNA HONDA riders,
who improved on the best times they set at this circuit only
two weeks ago.
MARCO MELANDRI (1'42"108, 6th fastest): "We
couldn't make the most of the morning session because of the
weather but we did have some reference data thanks to the
recent tests here a couple of weeks ago. I am satisfied because
we have taken a major step forward today. We have noticed
an improvement and the Michelin tyres have worked perfectly.
The objective was to continue on the same line of work to
prepare the first race of the 2006 season. We have been consistent
and I think we can improve even more tomorrow."
TONI ELIAS (1'42"518, 10th fastest):
"The weather hasn't helped us too much and we preferred
not to go out onto the track during the morning session. In
the afternoon we went out with the same set-up configuration
that we used during the IRTA tests. I still have a wide margin
for improvement and I have to pick up my pace. I'm confidence
and tomorrow we will be working closely with the Michelin
guys."
OFFICIAL LAP TIMES:
1. V.Rossi (Ita/Yamaha) 1'41"613
2. L.Capirossi (Ita/Ducati) 1'41"625
3. D.Pedrosa (Sp/Honda) 1'41"798
4. S.Gibernau (Sp/Ducati) 1'41"798
5. S.Nakano (Jap/Kawasaki) 1'41"939
6. M.MELANDRI (Ita/Honda) 1'42"108
7. C.Edwards (Usa/Yamaha) 1'42"266
8. N.Hayden (Usa/Honda) 1'42"276
9. R.De Puniet (FR/Kawasaki) 1'42"455
10. T.ELIAS (Sp/Honda) 1'42"518
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