Repsol Honda Team gets weapons ready in Qatar.
Dani Pedrosa seventh and Nicky Hayden ninth today. Major improvement for Sebastián Porto in the 250cc, setting the fourth fastest time in Losail.
In a venue that can become like hell for the riders due to the high temperatures, the pleasant surprise of the day was precisely the weather, which received the World Championship with milder temperatures than expected. The 10ºC less in the air (32ºC today) and 5ºC less on the asphalt (42ºC today), were also reflected in the lap times, which were much faster than in 2005. Positive first contact day with the Losail Circuit in Qatar for the riders of the Repsol Honda Team MotoGP.
On this first day, Nicky Hayden and Dani Pedrosa have preferred to act with care and complete slowly but steadily all necessary steps to achieve an effective setting for this track, where suspensions and tyres play a special role. After the hangover following the successful weekend of the Repsol riders in the premier class at the Spanish Grand Prix, the comeback to activity has resulted in both riders among the top ten in the first and second free sessions. Both riders competed 23 laps in the morning session and further 23 laps in the afternoon, being, together with Valentino Rossi, the riders who have covered more laps on the Qatar track today. Dani Pedrosa, on his first visit at the Losail track on a MotoGP bike, had a very positive performance, his fastest time being only 4 tenths of a second slower than the fastest lap clocked by Kenny Roberts.
In the 250cc, positive comeback of the Argentinean Sebastián Porto in Qatar, who after the problems with the lacking competitiveness in Jerez was one of fastest today in Losail. Fifth in this mornings free session, one second and a half behind the fastest time, the Repsol rider managed to improve his lap time by more than two seconds moving up to fourth on the time sheets, 3 tenths of a second behind Barberá, who took provisional pole. Sebastiáns team mate, Japanese rider Shuhei Aoyama, had an intense working day in his first ever visit in Qatar. Improving from the morning to the afternoon, Aoyama managed to set the eleventh fastest time.
In the minor class, 15-year-young Bradley Smith, showed his qualities again, this time on the difficult Qatar layout. On his first ever visit at the Losail Circuit, the Repsol rider set the eighteenth fastest time of the mornings free practice, and was twenty-second in the afternoons timed session, ahead of much more experienced rivals.
Rider´s comments
Dani Pedrosa.
Total laps: 46.Total kilometres:247.48 Km.
Today we just tried to adapt to the track and tried to get into a rhythm. I havent ridden the RC211V here before and its very different to the 250, so today I was working out how to ride the bike here. The first day of practice is always complicated. We have to find the right gearing and the right tyres for this track, and to try to get down to a good lap time. We worked very hard both the team and myself and we improved a lot from first to second practice, and I think we can continue to improve through the weekend. It is very different riding here to Jerez I dont really like this track I dont know why – so I have to try to push myself and improve myself when I go out on the circuit. had a big moment coming out of turn three, but this is normal for a MotoGP bike!
Nicky Hayden.
Total laps: 46.Total kilometres:247.48 Km.
This morning went pretty well and we got on the pace pretty quickly. The tracks in way better condition than the last two times weve been here because its cooler and cleaner. This afternoon didnt go good so well though. I spent some time on the same tyre that I liked this morning and I just couldnt get back down to a good lap time, which didnt help my session. At the end we kind of hit a bit of a wall trying to find some grip at the back, and weve got a few chatter issues which is a bit of a problem right now. But the good thing is that, while were ninth, its not like the time is terrible its pretty close. Well see whats happening tomorrow. Im fighting a little bit of a cold so hopefully Ill shake it off overnight, come back in the morning and move up.
Sebastián Porto.
Total laps: 35.Total kilometres:188.3 Km.
Im very happy because were back where we belong. My preseason and first race are something to forget; Ive been through hard times, but that’s something to learn from. I want to thank the team, Repsol and especially Honda because they trusted in me. I asked for changes and I got them. The bike is competitive again or at least I have felt good with the bike and thats the most important for me. There is still work ahead but I hope that from now on we’ll be back where we belong, fighting for the places on the top. Ive had a good feeling on the track but it’s not really enough. I’ve only had the bike in good conditions for one day. I actually feel that there’s something lacking in me, but the lap times are very good and the bike is allowing me to clock them and thats what really makes me happy.
Shuhei Aoyama.
Total laps: 38.Total kilometres:204.44 Km.
This circuit is much easier than Jerez, but my disadvantage here is that this is my first day, while we had three test days before the Grand Prix in Spain. What weve basically done today is to lap and cover as many kilometres as possible to learn the track and improve step by step. The only thing weve done both in the morning and in the afternoon is to lap and make some small adjustments to the bike’s set-up. Although I have finished eleventh today, my feelings are good and Im optimistic as regards the result we can achieve on Saturday. I think that if everything works out as expected, well be able to do a good race.
Bradley Smith.
Total laps: 31.Total kilometres:166.78 Km.
Its really different compared to the European tracks where weve been racing before. There are no reference points and stuff like that so its all about ‘wait, wait, wait and brake there. The track seemed to have cleaned up and its a lot better now. The second session was a lot faster and Im getting more confident now with the new tyre. Im just trying to find the limit with that, I guess itll come with more laps on the track. It was good!
