FRENCH GP: BAUTISTA IN PROVISIONAL POLE
 The
250cc first qualifying practice took place today at the French circuit of Le
Mans. The weather conditions were stable and both riders and teams could
work on a dry track. The practice proved to be very balanced, with twelve
riders within the span of a second. Aprilia performed well, placing three
bikes in the first provisional row.
Alvaro Bautista, on his RSA of the Mapfre Aspar team, got the provisional
pole with the time of 138479. The Spaniard proved to have a great pace on
this circuit where he has never managed to get on the podium. Alex Debon,
also on a RSA of the Lotus team, is 0106 behind. The former Aprilia test
rider seemed to have found the right feeling with his bike, that he has
personally contributed in improving. Marco Simoncelli, Gilera, got the third
position, while Mattia Pasini completed the first provisional row with the
time of 138788, 0309 from Bautista.
I am happy said Bautista I immediately felt at ease on my bike and I
could go very fast. I had a great pace and I conquered the pole on slick
tyres. We can improve as there are still some tiny adjustments to make. I
hope I can perform a good race, also because this is the only circuit where
I have never managed to step on the podium.
I am very happy said Debon I have found a great feeling with my bike
since the Chinese GP and we have improved here. I need to hank my team for
the great work they are doing and Aprilia for its support, my engine was
very powerful today. We still need to work as there is room for improvement.
I have a great pace for the race and I am very thrilled. I am confident I
can do well.
The Swiss Thomas Luthi got the fifth position with the time of 138942,
0463 from Bautista. Aleix Espargaro, on his LE of the Lotus team is eighth,
while Hector Barbera is twelfth, followed by Lukas Pesek. Faubel is
sixteenth, Abraham eighteenth, followed by Laverty, Sandi, Toth e Baldolini.
http://www.racingaprilia.com//gp250_dettaglio.asp?id=1944
FRENCH GP: GADEA IN PROVISIONAL POLE
 After
the long journey to China, the GP comes back to Europe, in the historical
circuit of the 24 hours of Le Mans, France. The 125 cc bikes opened the week
end with the first qualifying practice. The grey sky over the circuit and a
few drops seemed to threaten the session. Luckily it was just a false alarm
and the practice could take place in dry conditions. Aprilia performed well,
conquering the first provisional row and placing six bikes in the first ten
positions.
Sergio Gadea, on his RSA of the Bancaja Aspar team, got the provisional pole
with the time of 143515. The Valencian rider proved to have finally
regained the good shape he showed in Qatar and seemed to be very confident
in the French track, where he conquered the first victory of his career last
year. Bradley Smith, 0.099 behind, proved once again to be extremely fast
on this track. Bradl is third with the time of 143710, while Simone Corsi,
very determined to make up for his performance in China, completes the first
provisional row, just a tenth from the young German rider.
I am very happy said Gadea I needed this result after all the problems
we ha d encountered over the last two races. We have finally found the right
path to follow and there is still room for improvement. I like this track a
lot, I won my first race here last year, and I hope I can do this again this
year.
I am happy said Smith even though we have worked in quite a strange
way. At first, due to some rain drops, we tried to set the time and we made
it. Then, as the weather conditions were stable, we worked in the view of
the race. The pace is good and I managed to improve my time. I am confident
we can do even better tomorrow. I intend to obtain good results in this
circuit were I obtained the first podium of my career last year.
Nico Terol got the ninth position with the time of 144603, 1088 from
Gadea. He is followed by Sandro Coretese, Gabor Talmacsi, Scott Redding and
by the winner of the Chinese GP Andrea Iannone.
http://www.racingaprilia.com//gp125_dettaglio.asp?id=1916
STONER SECOND FASTEST AT LE
MANS, MELANDRI MAKES LATE PROGRESS
 Casey
Stoner ended the first day of free practice for the Grand Prix de France as
the second fastest rider around the Le Mans circuit on a cool (19 °C) but,
most importantly, dry start to the weekend.
The World Champion ended the day satisfied with the job done by his crew as
he made gradual progress with the setting of his Ducati, after finding a
fast and consistent pace on race tyres.
Marco Melandri has yet to find the perfect set-up for this track despite
finding some impressive pace through the first two splits. The Italian now
hopes to improve around the second half of the circuit, particularly under
braking, and find an optimum set-up for the race - as he did in China two
weeks ago.
CASEY STONER (Ducati MotoGP Team) 2nd fastest: 1'34.276
"We're struggling a little bit in T4, as we did last year. We need a little
more acceleration coming onto the straights and it's a bit difficult for us
in those tight but long corners. Tomorrow we'll make some changes to try and
improve on that but basically the idea is to compensate for it by making our
strong points even stronger. In any case today has been a good step for us
because we haven't been really competitive in the last three races and it's
good to start a Grand Prix in the right way again. This morning was going
quite well but the setting wasn't quite right to be able to show what we
could really do and then this afternoon we had a small problem with the
engine on one of the bikes. The setting on the second bike wasn't perfect
but the team made a small change that allowed me to go seven tenths quicker,
so I was delighted with that. The weather forecast is a little all over the
show, as it usually is here, and you never quite know what you're going to
get so it's good to get two dry sessions under our belt. I'm happy with what
we've got so far and ready for whatever the clouds throw at us tomorrow."
MARCO MELANDRI (Ducati MotoGP Team) 14th fastest: 1'35.678
"I was hoping to start this weekend a little better but even though engine
performance isn't bad we still haven't found the right way forward with the
set-up of the cycle part. At the moment I can't brake as hard as I would
like. When I'm braking with the bike upright it's okay but when it's leaned
over the problems start. With a lot of braking areas in the turns at this
track it means I'm losing a couple of vital tenths. We've done some
different tyre tests and even though we've found something I like we're
still not getting enough grip. We'll obviously try to improve that tomorrow
because we want to at least be at the same level we reached two weeks ago in
China."
McGuinness tops practice at Ireland's Kennedy North
West 200, Rutter second - News release
Michael Rutter and the North West Ducati Team secured some good results in
yesterdays second practice/qualifying session at the Kennedy North West 200.
Rutter ended up second in the Superbike class behind John McGuinness and
third in the Superstock class behind Keith Amor and Alastair Seeley. He will
start in both the Superbike races and the Superstock race on the front row
of the grid.
Once again the sun was shining on the competitors of the North West and the
NW200 Ducati team were eager to find a strong race set up on the Superbike
(Ducati F08) and Superstock (Ducati 1098 R) machines. Rutter completed 11
laps in the Superstock class and set a time of 4:28.138 at an average speed
of 120.377 mph and 12 laps were completed on the Superbike with a time of
4:22.999 only 0.6 off pole position, setting an average speed of 122.729
mph.
The atmosphere was dampened slightly when the news came later in the night
that Robert Dunlop, brother to the late Joey lost his life in a tragic
accident yesterday afternoon after the Superbike and Superstock sessions had
taken place. After consulting Robert's wife, Louise they have agreed for the
races tomorrow, Saturday 17th May, to go ahead, a minutes silence will be
held tomorrow morning before race one.
Rutter commented "Firstly I would like to pass on my thoughts to the friends
and family of Robert, whom I was a good friend and also a team-mate to at
the TT in 1993. He was a great character around the paddock and will be
sadly missed by everyone, he achieved so much in his career and it's a sad
loss to the sport."
He went on to say "We managed to find a better set up with both bikes last
night and I felt a lot more comfortable on them and looking forward to the
races tomorrow. I didn't manage many laps on the Superstock bike on Tuesday
as the |
