Test day for Repsol riders in Valencia.
First practice day in Cheste with Pedrosa second in the 250cc, Hayden fourth in MotoGP and Sergio Gadea sixth in the 125cc. The fastest times were set today by Mattia Pasini, Casey Stoner and Marco Melandri
First practice day at the Comunitat Valenciana Grand Prix, completely dedicated to setting the bikes up for the last race of the season. Unusually high temperatures for this time of the year and a weather forecast telling about rain for tomorrow led most of the riders to focus on set-ups, trying however to get a good place on the starting grid in view of the possible rain on Saturday. Nicky Hayden was fourth in MotoGP, while the fastest clock was set by Italian rider Marco Melandri. The North American rider, highly efficient in the last third of the season, complained about grip problems in the front end of his bike, managing however to get a place on the second row of the provisional grid. Max Biaggi was happy in general terms with the setting of his bike, hoping to improve further tomorrow. Both riders of the Repsol Honda team are convinced about the possibility of improving tomorrow, if it doesnt rain, especially Hayden who is looking forward to fight for a place on the first row of the grid. Dani Pedrosa was second fastest in the 250cc behind Casey Stoner.
The World Champion got thus a place on the front row, where he will be joined by his team-mate Hiroshi Aoyama, despite having several problems with the set-up that have forced him to work intensively on both of his bikes throughout today’s official session. The differences are however minimal among the top five of the quarter-of-a-litre class. Sebastián Porto has so far managed to get a place on the second row. The Argentinean rider has made a clear progress as regards the settings since this mornings practice. His team-mate Randy de Puniet is seventh after the first practice, a bit over one tenth behind Porto. The performance of the top ten riders in this class shows that there is going to be an intense fight for the pole tomorrow. Sergio Gadea, sixth, was the fastest Repsol rider in the 125cc. Gadea, who knows the circuit perfectly well, managed to set the fastest time in the mornings free session but the changes made on his bike didnt bring the expected performance in the afternoon. He took a good place but he hopes to improve it tomorrow. Héctor Faubel, was tenth. The fastest time was set by Mattia Pasini.
Rider´s comments:
MotoGP. Nicky Hayden
First free practice 5th, 134.283, 30 laps
Second free practice 4th, 133.722, 32 laps
It was okay today but not quite as solid as I would have liked. Course I would have liked to be a little bit quicker. Were not that far off on the time but for the last race of the year I dont like the sound of fourth fastest. Im lacking a bit of confidence in the front on some of these slow corners. There was one time in mid-session I nearly had the bike on its side but saved it with my elbow. Pretty scary stuff! Ive got some great boys around me here and I know well come up with something for tomorrow.
MotoGP. Max Biaggi
First free practice 8th, 134.701, 30 laps
Second free practice 8th, 134.094, 31 laps
All I wanted to do today was put my ear plugs in and my helmet on and ride the bike at a track I know well and have done well at in the past. Today we are not so far away. For sure we have some areas we need to improve in but we have a pretty good package at the moment and have a good base setting. We need to work on the balance of the machine but Im hopeful and confident that we can find the answers and tomorrow we can improve.
250. Dani Pedrosa
First free practice 7th, 137.269, 27 laps
First qualifying practice 2nd, 136.145, 22 laps
We had trouble with both bikes in the mornings free practice. The carburetion wasnt working in one bike and the other had problems with the brakes. We needed a lot of time to fix the brakes so I had to get onto the track with the bike that didnt carburet well. In the afternoon we were only able to lap with one bike trying to solve the problem we had in the morning and testing tyres. We have improved but we havent found the perfect carburetion. In the end we also had problems with the gears. The race on Sunday, even if its the last one and even if weve already won the championship, will be an important race. The expectations will be really high ad were racing at home so concentration will be total and our target the victory.
250. Hiroshi Aoyama
First free practice 4th, 137.097, 27 laps
First qualifying practice 4th, 136.509, 22 lapsI think that weve had a good start of the Grand Prix. Weve been improving from the morning to the afternoon and I feel well with the bike in general terms. We have to keep on working a bit as regards the suspensions, especially to improve the front end for the track conditions: it lacks a bit of grip and it is bumpy. I focussed on getting my own rhythm and I managed to be quite consistent. Id like to finish the year with a podium finish, and I think that I still have to improve some tenths to do that.
250. Sebastián Porto
First free practice 6th, 137.255, 24 laps
First qualifying practice 5th, 136.522, 18 laps
Things didnt go badly at all and Im just three tenths of pole, a gap I think I can make up. We improved from the morning to the afternoon but we must improve more and take advantage of our good start. I am happy with the result if you consider how much more we can improve tomorrow.
250. Randy De Puniet
First free practice 3rd, 137.052, 27 laps
First qualifying practice 7th, 136.688, 18 laps
I am happy with the result of the work we have done on the bike although I would have liked to have been higher placed. I made a few errors on my flying lap and then ran into traffic when I had another attempt. The time we have set is good, the bike is working well and I think we can improve tomorrow.
125. Sergio Gadea
First free practice 1st, 140.843, 18 laps
First qualifying practice 6th, 141.130, 12 laps
After going quickest in the free session in the morning I was hoping for a little more in qualifying. We made a few changes and, in my opinion, it affected the bikes performance. However, we have the sixth fastest time and are well-placed.
125. Héctor Faubel
First free practice 8th, 141.911, 20 laps
First qualifying practice 10th, 141.306, 15 laps
We are not where we wanted to be but we have to realise that there is not much between the riders and we can improve. I made a few errors today when I was going for fast laps that I hope I wont repeat tomorrow. There are a lot of people supporting me and the team this weekend which is really spurring me on.
Standings:
MotoGP
- M.Melandri, 1.33.464
- C.Checa, 133.506
- S.Gibernau, 1.33.523
- N.Hayden, 1.33.722
- L.Capirossi, 1.33.730
8. M.Biaggi, 1.34.094
250cc.
- C.Stoner, 1.36.143
- D.Pedrosa, 1.36.145
- H.Barberá, 1.36.443
- H.Aoyama, 1.36.509
- S.Porto, 1.36.522
7. R. de Puniet, 1.36.688
125cc.
- M.Passini, 1.40.469
- G.Talmacsi, 1.40.534
- J.Simón,1.40.855
- T.Luthi, 1.40.918
- M.Kallio,1.4.102
- S.Gadea, 41.130
10. H.Faubel, 1.41.306
