MELANDRI AND ELIAS READY TO BATTLE
After a great day's work between the Team Honda Gresini engineers
and riders, Marco Melandri and Toni Elias were able to recover
grid positions and a competitive edge today as they sealed
third-row starts for tomorrow's Grand Prix of Portugal. Marco
Melandri worked hard on the geometry of his bike and found
a good solution that allowed him to make a positive step forward.
His team-mate Toni Elias also made improvements today as he
continues his recovery from a broken femur. The Spaniard improved
his race pace and is confident that a good start tomorrow
will allow him to fight for a top result at the circuit where
he took his maiden MotoGP win last season.
MARCO MELANDRI (7th, 1'37"157): "The
team have worked really well. We've tried a few different
solutions on the bike, working on the weight distribution
and in the afternoon we made a good step forward. We still
have a couple of small issues with engine braking but in general
the bike has improved a lot and my race pace is good. In high
temperatures the tyres are working really well but unforunately
the qualifier was a little too soft and I wasn't able to make
the most of it. We'll continue to work towards the race but
I'm happy to be on the third row and to be the second Bridgestone
rider."
TONI ELIAS (9th, 1'38"843): "Physically
I feel like yesterday but we've been able to work on the bike
and improve the traction problems. In the afternoon we were
able to make the most of that and my feeling with the bike
is better even though there are some areas we need to work
on. Compared to Brno and Misano my grid position is much better.
Obviously we are in a very different position to last year
but I like this track a lot and I'm confident of getting a
good start tomorrow, giving it my best shot and having a nice
race on a circuit where I scored my first victory one year
ago."
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