SECOND ROW FOR ELIAS AT MOTEGI
Melandri only 10th but can count on a good race pace
Toni Elias will start tomorrow's Grand Prix of Japan from
the second row of the grid. The Team Honda Gresini rider returned
to the top end of the time sheets with an excellent display
at the Twin Ring Motegi, a track where overtaking is difficult
and a top grid position crucial. Elias's fifth place is the
fruit of a lot of hard work from his team. Alongside the mechanics,
Toni has worked hard to resolve the tractions problems he
has been suffering lately and this allowed him to get maximum
performance out of his qualifying tyre.
It was a tough day, meanwhile, for his team-mate Marco Melandri,
who struggled in qualifying today after being on top form
in free practice yesterday, when he lapped third fastest.
Marco will start from the fifth row and will have to make
the most of the warm-up to improve the setting of his bike.
He can count on a good pace, but the race will be demanding.
Today the temperatures were particularly high, registering
45°C on track and 32ºC ambient, with 45% humidity.
Forecasts for tomorrow are predicting clouds and a 20% chance
of rain.
TONI ELIAS (5th, 1'46"804): "It
was a difficult session but we found the right way forward
in the end. I'm happy with fifth place - it is very important
for us and a good qualifying position was the first objective
we set for ourselves this weekend. The team have worked really
well and we'll try to make another small step forward in the
warm-up tomorrow. I'm confident - I like this track and considering
my physical condition I have to be satisfied. I am still suffering
from pain in my left leg and I have to say that this heat
isn't making it any easier."
MARCO MELANDRI (10th, 1'47"136): "I've
got a decent race pace but unfortunately tomorrow we'll be
starting from a little way back. The bike was skipping around
on a qualifying tyre and I couldn't get the best out of the
bike. It's a real shame because it's really important to start
near the front at this circuit. I can't say I'm happy but
we'll keep trying. Tomorrow we'll try to make the most out
of the warm-up and find something that can improve the bike
and after that it's a case of getting a good start. I like
the track but it's going to be a tough race for us tomorrow."
|
