MELANDRI SETS SECOND ROW PACE AT SACHSENRING
 The
tenth round of the season started in positive fashion for
Marco Melandri, who set the sixth fastest time on the first
day of action at the German Grand Prix. After lapping fifth
fastest in the morning, in the afternoon Melandri was just
six tenths off the time of pacesetter Casey Stoner, the Gresini
Honda rider sealing a place on the theoretical second row.
The Italian star is confident of another top race at a circuit
where he has celebrated victory in both the 125 and 250 classes
and was second in the MotoGP race last year after a memorable
duel with Rossi and Hayden.
It was a good start to the weekend too for Michel Fabrizio,
22, making his debut on the RC212V. Michel, who is replacing
Toni Elias for the German round, got to know his new machine
around this circuit and is confident of improving his pace
on it tomorrow.
MARCO MELANDRI (6th, 1' 23"430): "I'm
happy with this first day - we've had a couple of good sessions.
I'd like to say thank you to Honda for the new exhaust. We've
taken a big step forward with it - the throttle connection
is much more smooth and the feeling under braking has also
improved. It is better on the entrance and exit of the corners
and lap after lap I felt more and more comfortable. We're
also in good shape with the tyres so I'm satisfied today."
MICHEL FABRIZIO (18th, 1'24"748): "This
is an important experience for me. The bike is fun to ride
and from the morning to the afternoon I improved my lap time
by eight tenths. Hopefully I can improve a lot more tomorrow
and for the race. I'm happy because this is a really nice
opportunity for me and I want to say thank you to Fausto and
to Honda".
FAUSTO GRESINI: "Thanks to the new
material that Honda have brought for us here at Sachsenring
we've been able to make a big step up in quality. The team
are doing everything they can to put our rider in a position
to fight for the best possible result. Today Marco had a good
day of practice and that gives us high hopes for the race.
For Michel this is his first contact with the 800cc bike and
the Bridgestone tyres and I'm happy to be able to give him
this chance."
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