MotoGP World Championship. French GP. First practice session
 DANI
PEDROSA AND THE REPSOL HONDA TEAM SET THE PACE IN FRANCE
The Repsol rider was the fastest during the two MotoGP free
training sessions. Esteve Rabat improved considerably -sixth
in the 125-, as did Julián Simón, also sixth
in the 250cc category.
The first day of free training sessions in the top category
at the French Grand Prix was dominated by Repsol Honda Team
rider Dani Pedrosa. The Spaniard finished both sessions leading
the classification, though once more the protagonists of the
day were four riders. Along with Pedrosa, Casey Stoner, Valentino
Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo were the main actors in the first
event of the French Grand Prix.
The weather forecast had predicted rain today on the French
track, but fortunately it was not the case and the sessions
were held on a completely dry track. In the top category,
Dani Pedrosa set a very fast pace on the French track, running
the fastest time in both free training sessions. Pedrosa,
who last year finished second in Le Mans after an exciting
duel with Valentino Rossi, concentrated today on testing tyres,
his sights always set on the race. Teammate Nicky Hayden,
with more setup problems than expected on the French track,
had a complicated day and classified in a low fourteenth position
in the morning, and twelfth in the afternoon.
Julián Simón continued improving along the
lines of what he already showed in China, and again ran a
regular and fast pace throughout the sessions. The Repsol
rider did not have any problems in his forearms, meaning he
was able to concentrate entirely on his riding and on finding
the right adjustments for the KTM 250 FRR. During the first
free training session, Simón was among the fastest
in the category most of the time. He was finally sixth, the
same position as in the timed session, and in both cases finished
as the best KTM. Hiroshi Aoyama and Mika Kallio, riders who
receive technical support from Repsol, had a complicated day
on the French track, running the ninth and tenth fastest times,
respectively.
In the quarter-litre category, quite a positive day for the
Repsol KTM riders. Tito Rabat ran his best training sessions
this season, riding consistently among the fastest in the
category. The Repsol rider arrived at the French track with
renewed hopes of turning the situation around, and right from
the start felt comfortable taking the bends on the French
track, due to the new adjustments to his KTM 125 FRR. In the
free training sessions, Rabat finished fourth, and in the
timed sessions, in spite of a problem halfway through which
kept him at the box for ten minutes, he was able to score
the sixth fastest time.
Teammate Marc Márquez ran today on the Le Mans Circuit
for the first time, and also performed well. The Repsol rider
concentrated on learning the layout by heart and adjusting
the bike to his preferences. In the free session he finished
nineteenth, after deciding upon which was the best way of
distributing the dead weight for comfortable riding. In the
timed session, after a few changes to the adjustments done
in the previous session, he was more comfortable on the bike.
However, soon after starting he had a fall on the bend leading
to the finish line, though fortunately he was unhurt. As a
result he slowed down his pace, and finally finished in 25th
position.
Quotes
MotoGP
Dani Pedrosa >> 1’34.227 secs, 55 laps, 230 Km.
“We worked very hard today because we heard that the
weather forecast for tomorrow isn’t so good. At least
we did get two hours of dry track time, which we dedicated
to quickly finding a good basic set-up and then doing some
work on tyre choice for Sunday’s race.
The revised part of the circuit seems quite bumpy, so I ran
straight on there several times during the day, same as a
few other riders. Overall I’m feeling quite happy about
my machine after this first day but we must keep our heads
down and keep working hard because the top few riders are
all very close together on lap times.”
Nicky Hayden >> 1’35.378 secs, 52 laps,
218 Km.
“Things didn’t go as smooth as we’d have
liked today. Braking at this track is so important and I don’t
have a good feeling when I’m braking. Straight line
or leaned over, the front end doesn’t feel so good.
I don’t know why, but I was hurting a little bit in
that area in China too.
We’re basically a full second off the pace and that’s
a lot on a 1 minute 34 lap, so we need to sort something overnight.
We really never found a direction all day, we were chasing
our tails, so that makes it hard, and it’s never good
to fall behind when there’s rain in the forecast. I
know the team will work hard, so I’m confident in that.”
250cc
Julián Simón >> 1’39.051 secs, 47
laps, 197 Km.
“These training sessions were much better than the first
day on any of the other circuits. We soon found the right
course and the ideal adjustments for this track, which haven't
changed that much since China.
Today's analysis isn't bad. We were in a very good position
in the morning, and in the afternoon we finished sixth, close
to the first classified. We still have some improvements to
do, especially on the engine, as in some bends it behaves
too aggressively. We have to make it more progressive and
easier to control. For the time being I'm happy with our work,
let's hope the weather is good tomorrow and we can improve
our position.”
125cc
Esteve Rabat >> 1’44.344 secs, 34 laps, 142 Km.
“It wasn't bad. We did some good training sessions and
it looks like we're finding our way out of the tunnel we were
going through. In the morning I finished fourth, and in the
afternoon I had to confirm that it wasn't just a coincidence.
We confirmed it, because in spite of a problem we had which
made us stop for a while, we managed to find solutions for
more comfortable riding. The last part, the last three curves,
is where I find it the toughest, and we'll have to find a
better setup which gives me more speed arriving on the straightaway.”
Marc Márquez >> 1’46.230 secs,
35 laps, 146 Km.
“This circuit is new to me, and this morning I soon
felt comfortable. The bike wasn't properly fine-tuned, but
in the afternoon I went out there and it looked like I was
doing better.
However, soon after starting I had a fall, which made me slow
down my pace slightly. I wasn't pushing too hard, but I lost
control of the rear end. I didn't feel too comfortable on
the second bike. Let's see if tomorrow we're lucky and it
doesn't rain, giving us a chance of improving both our position
and our times.”
Official Results
MotoGP
1. Dani PEDROSA (REPSOL HONDA) 1:34.227
2. Casey STONER (DUCATI) at 0.049
3. Colin EDWARDS (YAMAHA) at 0.06
4. Jorge LORENZO (YAMAHA) at 0.26
5. Chris VERMEULEN (SUZUKI) at 0.403
12. Nicky HAYDEN (REPSOL HONDA) at 1.151
250cc
1. Mika KALLIO (KTM) 1:38.479
2. Alex DEBON (APRILIA) at 0.106
3. Marco SIMONCELLI (GILERA) at 0.2
4. Mattia PASINI (APRILIA) at 0.309
5. Thomas LUTHI (APRILIA) at 0.463
6. Julián SIMÓN (REPSOL KTM) at 0.552
125cc
1. Sergio GADEA (APRILIA) 1:43.515
2. Bradley SMITH (APRILIA) at 0.09
3. Stefan BRADL (APRILIA) at 0.195
4. Simone CORSI (APRILIA) at 0.196
5. Mike DI MEGLIO (DERBI) at 0.441
6. Esteve RABAT (REPSOL KTM) at 0.829
25. Marc MÁRQUEZ (REPSOL KTM) at 2.715
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