MELANDRI ON PODIUM PACE AT MOTEGI
GRAND PRIX OF JAPAN - FREE PRACTICES
MotoGP returned to Honda's home at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit
today as the first practice sessions for the Grand Prix of
Japan took place.
The Honda riders, who always tackle this event with special
motivation, did not disappoint and today both Daniel Pedrosa
and Marco Melandri were on podium pace in both the morning
and afternoon sessions.
Melandri was third fastest overall, four tenths behind provisional
'pole' setter Pedrosa, and was more than satisfied with his
progress. Marco set a fast and consistent pace and is confident
of taking another step forward tomorrow.
Toni Elias is also confident despite ending the day down
in fifteenth position today. The work on finding a compromise
between traction and stability was only partially successful
but the Spaniard is confident the team have at least identified
the way they need to work tomorrow.
The first day of practice took place in extremely high temperatures,
with the track reaching 46° and humidity levels touching
36%.
MARCO MELANDRI (3rd, 1'48"351): "I'm
really satisfied with this first day of work. The bike has
improved a lot in terms of power delivery and engine braking
thanks to the new mapping that we received this morning. I'm
happy because the bike is much more manageable now. I'm also
happy with our choice of tyres - we've worked well with Bridgestone
today and I hope to make another small step forward with my
race pace tomorrow. This is a particularly difficult track
to manage fuel. The heat today was most unusual for this time
of year but the forecast is for the weather to change. I'm
happy because we'll be ready for wet or dry conditions."
TONI ELIAS (15th, 1'48"881): "We'
ve done a lot of good work with the team today and in general
I am happy. We tested a lot of things - not everything gave
the result we were looking for but it was important for us
to find the right way to work. The Bridgestone tyres are working
very well here and because of the intense heat we decided
to save some of the softer tyres for tomorrow."
FAUSTO GRESINI: "Marco has done a good
job again and I am happy. The bike has improved a lot from
the last race and that has allowed Marco to get immediately
on the pace. Tomorrow we'll work to take another step forward.
Toni, meanwhile, has been working hard on his setting and
even though he is still struggling a bit with the set up,
he always gives his maximum on the track and we have to compliment
him on that."
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