Friday Afternoon MotoGP Practice Times: 1. Marco MELANDRI, Honda, 1:43.317 2. Makoto TAMADA, Honda, 1:43.408 3. Colin EDWARDS, Yamaha, 1:43.467 4. Nicky HAYDEN, Honda, 1:43.638 5. Loris CAPIROSSI, Ducati, 1:43.885 6. Valentino ROSSI, Yamaha, 1:44.030 7. Max BIAGGI, Honda, 1:44.145 8. Troy BAYLISS, Honda, 1:44.430 9. John HOPKINS, Suzuki, 1:44.444 10. Alex BARROS, Honda, 1:44.490 11. Sete GIBERNAU, Honda, 1:44.502 12. Shinya NAKANO, Kawasaki, 1:44.508 13. Kenny ROBERTS, Suzuki, 1:44.668 14. Carlos CHECA, Ducati, 1:44.895 15. Roberto ROLFO, Ducati, 1:45.254 16. Alex HOFMANN, Kawasaki, 1:45.314 17. Ruben XAUS, Yamaha, 1:45.374 18. Shane BYRNE, Proton KR, 1:46.321 19. Toni ELIAS, Yamaha, 1:47.746 20. James ELLISON, Blata, 1:47.857 21. Franco BATTAINI, Blata, 1:48.387 Friday’s Combined MotoGP Practice Times: 1. MELANDRI, Honda, 1:43.317 2. TAMADA, Honda, 1:43.408 3. EDWARDS, Yamaha, 1:43.467 4. HAYDEN, Honda, 1:43.638 5. ROSSI, Yamaha, 1:43.652 6. CAPIROSSI, Ducati, 1:43.885 7. BARROS, Honda, 1:44.105 8. HOPKINS, Suzuki, 1:44.138 9. GIBERNAU, Honda, 1:44.139 10. BIAGGI, Honda, 1:44.145 11. NAKANO, Kawasaki, 1:44.268 12. BAYLISS, Honda, 1:44.430 13. CHECA, Ducati, 1:44.569 14. ROBERTS, Suzuki, 1:44.668 15. ROLFO, Ducati, 1:44.793 16. XAUS, Yamaha, 1:45.061 17. HOFMANN, Kawasaki, 1:45.193 18. BYRNE, Proton KR, 1:46.321 19. ELIAS, Yamaha, 1:46.702 20. ELLISON, Blata, 1:47.857 21. BATTAINI, Blata, 1:48.259 More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki Racing Team: NAKANO AND HOFMANN COMPLETE VALUABLE TEST DAY The Kawasaki Racing Team devoted the opening day of the Catalunya GP weekend to a comprehensive test session evaluating the latest Bridgestone tyres and technical updates. Team riders, Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann, completed a combined total of 99 laps in the two free practice sessions, almost the equivalent of four grand prix race distances. The data gathered by Kawasaki engineers today will be critical in deciding race set-up for Sunday’s 25-lap race and for the on-going development programme for the Ninja ZX-RR. The 4.72 km Catalunya circuit was resurfaced during the winter and Kawasaki’s tyre partner Bridgestone have brought a wide range of new concept tyres to this race. The tyres feature different constructions and compounds and are already showing improved performance compared to the pre-season IRTA test in Barcelona on the new track surface. Neither Nakano nor Hofmann tried for a single fast lap as they concentrated on the test programme. Both riders are still chasing further improvement to rear-end grip in preparation for the race. Nakano recorded his fastest lap of the day, for 11th overall, in the morning free practice session, in which the Japanese rider was unhurt in a crash when he lost the front end Hofmann, 17th at the end of the day, also posted his best lap in the morning session. The German ace is quickly regaining 100% fitness as he faces his second race after an eight-week lay-off with a fractured left wrist. On the technical front a revised specification exhaust system from technical partner Akrapovic was tested back-to-back with the standard system, by both Nakano and Hofmann. More rider friendly throttle response is one benefit of the latest exhaust and Kawasaki technical director Ichiro Yoda says he expects both riders will use the system for the race. Warm, sunny but breezy conditions with a track temperature, of 35 degrees greeted riders for the opening day of practice. Shinya Nakano: #56 – Eleventh – (1’44.268) “This was very a productive day, especially this afternoon when I did some endurance runs on the new tyres; we have gathered a lot of useful data. The grip levels are better than at the IRTA test in March – although I would still like more – and also improved throttle control, but we have made a positive step forward today. Race tyre endurance looks good for Sunday.” Alex Hofmann: #66 – Seventeenth – (1’45.193) “I did a lot of work today, especially on tyres, I don’t think I’ve ever spent some much time out running on used rubber. It’s a little frustrating when you look at the times, but our focus is on the race on Sunday and a perfect set-up. I tried some different set-ups at the rear and I am still chasing some more grip, but I think the new surface is a factor; it is different from last year. My wrist is holding up okay, although there is a bigger strain on the left side with the corner layout at this track.” Ichiro Yoda – Technical Director “Today was only for testing, mainly for the new concept tyres from Bridgestone and to check chassis settings against the different constructions and compounds. We had five rear and four front tyres for the test programme today plus the different specification exhaust. Tyre performance is already noticeably improved from the IRTA test and the riders also checked the smoother throttle response from the new exhaust.” More, from a press release issued by Gauloises Yamaha: EDWARDS BOUNCES BACK TO FORM ON OPENING DAY AT CATALUNYA Gauloises Yamaha Team rider Colin Edwards returned to the top of the time sheets with an encouraging display on the opening day of the Catalunya Grand Prix today. Both Edwards and his team-mate, Valentino Rossi, again took advantage of the excellent base set-up they have found in recent tests with the Yamaha YZR-M1 machine, setting the pace in this morning’s opening free practice session with the first and second fastest times respectively. As temperatures rose in the afternoon by 10ºC, with 34ºC recorded on the recently-laid track surface, Edwards was again on the pace and was only denied the fastest time of the day by a late raid from Marco Melandri and Makoto Tamada (both Honda), with Melandri clocking the fastest lap in a time of 1’43.317. Rossi was one of several riders unable to improve their times in the second session as he struggled for front-end grip in the afternoon sunshine. With several riders crashing out in some of the fastest corners on the Montmeló track, the reigning MotoGP World Champion and current series leader decided to save his best efforts until tomorrow’s qualifying session, although his morning time was enough to seal fifth place on the combined time sheets overnight. COLIN EDWARDS (1’43.467, 53 laps) “It’s almost as if Mugello never happened and we have come straight from Le Mans to Barcelona! We know how the bike should work for me and, even though the setting is very different to what we had in the test here because the bike has evolved so much, we dialled some things in that felt right as soon as I took it onto the track this morning. In the afternoon we made some adjustments to the suspension and general setting. I went out and did a 15-lap endurance test for Michelin at the start of the session on a hard compound, which gave us a lot of information, and I put on something a little softer at the end which was good for six or seven tenths – so we know which way we’re going. We made a good start at Mugello and didn’t make much progress from there but I’m confident that won’t happen here because the feeling with the bike is already so much better.” VALENTINO ROSSI (1’43.652, 45 laps) “We made a very good start to the day this morning but in the afternoon I had a few problems with front grip. I didn’t have the stability I wanted in the corners and this meant that I wasn’t able to push as hard as I would like. The new track surface is very different and the conditions changed a lot with the extra heat from the morning to the afternoon. A few riders were crashing out so I decided not to push too hard because the important day is tomorrow and, of course, Sunday. We have some work to do on the front end but in general the bike setting is getting better and better so we hope to continue tomorrow.” DAVIDE BRIVIO TEAM DIRECTOR “This morning started off very well, with both riders at the top, and the afternoon was not so bad, although it took us a while to get up to speed. Valentino had some delays today but he is making the necessary adjustments to the bike setting. It was a very good day for Colin, who kept up a high pace and completed a good endurance test in the afternoon. I’m very happy for him because we had a long chat after Mugello and decided to put it behind us and start over again this weekend. Hopefully he can continue in the same way on Saturday and Sunday!” More, from a press release issued by Dorna Communications: Melandri shows early form at talisman track Marco Melandri continued his impressive start to the season with the fastest lap on the first day of action at the Gran Premi Gauloises de Catalunya today. Melandri posted a string of hot times at the end of this afternoon’s second free practice session to leave a benchmark of 1’43.651, just out of the reach of his resurgent Honda colleague Makoto Tamada, who looks to have put his early season injury woes firmly behind him. After a disappointing showing in the last round at Mugello, Colin Edwards bounced back to form with the third fastest time overall today, having set the pace in the morning free practice ahead of his Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi. “We started off with the base setting we found here in the winter tests and I felt comfortable straight away,” said Melandri, who lies second to Rossi in the championship standings and took third place in this race last season. “We made some adjustments in the afternoon and tried some new tyres from Michelin, which gave me a lot of grip at maximum lean. Tomorrow I want to try and improve my performance in the last section because I think I can make more time up there. In any case, I’m not getting too excited there is a long way to go this weekend.” Rossi was one of several riders unable to improve their times from the opening session in rising temperatures this afternoon and the reigning World Champion dropped to fifth fastest overall behind Nicky Hayden. Alex Barros, John Hopkins and Sete Gibernau were also unable to improve, giving Loris Capirossi the opportunity to boost his overnight position to sixth ahead of the trio. Max Biaggi did improve in the afternoon but was only able to make it as high as tenth fastest, just five days after taking a close second place to Rossi in his home race at Mugello. Shinya Nakano and Troy Bayliss complete the theoretical fourth row in eleventh and twelfth place respectively, although grid positions will not be decided until tomorrow afternoon’s single qualifying session. Toni Elías will not be competing, however, after a brief but unsuccessful return to action just 25 days after breaking his wrist and fracturing his leg in a testing crash at Le Mans. The Spaniard was only able to complete 14 laps today, with just four of those coming in the afternoon session before he returned to his Yamaha pit box in severe pain, and he will be replaced for the rest of the weekend by David Checa, who already deputised for Elías at Mugello. Jorge Lorenzo confirmed his rapid adaptation to the quarter-litre Honda class with provisional pole for the 250cc race just six days after becoming the youngest ever pole-setter in the class. The combative 18 year old topped the time sheets after an entertaining session this afternoon, with last year’s winner Randy de Puniet, Alex de Angelis and Sebastián Porto also making the front row. Local favourite and reigning World Champion Dani Pedrosa set the eighth fastest time and provisionally qualified on the second row of the grid behind Andrea Dovizioso, Hiroshi Aoyama and Casey Stoner. Mattia Pasini set provisional pole on a relatively tame first day of action in the 125cc class. The Italian’s best time of 1’52.009 was over 1.5 seconds slower than Jorge Lorenzo’s pole record but it was enough to hold off the challenge of Mika Kallio by 0.310 seconds. Marco Simoncelli and Tomoyoshi Koyama complete the provisional front row, whilst the surprise of the session was French rookie Alexis Masbou, who qualified sixth fastest. Thomas Lüthi, who leads the championship by eight points from Kallio, was ninth. More, from a press release issued by Camel Honda: Important first day of practice for Camel Honda riders in Montmelo Only fifty percent of the MotoGP field improved their times in the second free practice for the Catalunya GP, due to a change in conditions the afternoon session was much hotter and breezier than the morning and also because of the process of working through various set-up options, which didn’t always prove suitable. That was the case for Alex Barros anyway, his seventh fastest time came in the morning hour, whilst Troy Bayliss, who was twelfth in the combined timesheets, was actually faster than his teammate in the afternoon, when he finished eighth overall. Sito Pons Camel Honda “We are aiming to improve the set-up of Alex’s bike, especially on the front end. In the morning he was fast straight away, but in order to try and improve his confidence in the front, we later tried things which took us off the right track briefly. This is only the first day though, and it’s normal to try things for progress’ sake; tomorrow we will try another route. I think that Troy is gradually getting to grips with the bike, and managing to get the most out of its potential. Anyway, the most important day for us is tomorrow now. More precisely it is tomorrow afternoon when we need to concentrate all our efforts towards being fast in the qualifying session and try and get good grid position.” Alex Barros Camel Honda 1’44.105 7th fastest “The track conditions compared to the morning were quite different, but the bike was also set up differently. We looked to improve the setting of the forks, as well as trying a new front tyre at the same time. None of the two things worked, so now we know for a certain which way not to go! We know that they’re not working perfectly and we definitely need to improve, so now we will look at the data to find some answers, but I can see that lots of my colleagues; Sete, Valentino, Max are more are less behind too, so I think we will see a general improvement tomorrow.” Troy Bayliss Camel Honda 1’44.430 12th fastest “I’m quite happy, things are beginning to improve. To be honest, I thought that I would have done better at Mugello, but it was really quite a tough weekend. This whole start to the season has been complicated, but here, both in the morning session and the afternoon I felt more comfortable on the bike, everything finally seems to be working. I hope to be able to make more progress tomorrow because I really want to get a good result here.” More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse: DUCATI MARLBORO MEN TAKE ON CATALUNYA Ducati Marlboro Team riders Loris Capirossi and Carlos Checa found the first day challenge at Catalunya a tough one, with Capirossi taking overall sixth best time and Checa 13th. Up to fourth in the early part of the afternoon’s second session Capirossi slid down the order for a time, until he put in his best lap with only three minutes remaining. His best lap was only 0.568 seconds from the quickest of the day. With times combined from morning and afternoon sessions, Capirossi’s fifth best time in the second hour became sixth best overall. Checa, riding on his home circuit, spent his first two session working on the set-up and balance of his machine, attempting to find an elusive mix of agility and corner exit speed. “Last time we came here we had a little trouble when both riders crashed,” said Ducati MotoGP Project Manager Livio Suppo. “I think that means that we are missing a bit of set-up when compared to the others at present. We also tested new tyres. Loris did a good job but I think that Carlos is still struggling for set-up a little bit. I think we can be confident of making improvements in both lap time and race set-up tomorrow.” CAPIROSSI SIXTH FASTEST IN LAST MINUTES Loris Capirossi fought to a fine sixth place after the combined early sessions, but still looks to Saturday for the improvements he needs for the 25-lap race on Sunday. “We came here very motivated after Mugello but we knew that it would still be very difficult,” said the Italian. “We found some problems this morning with the way the front tyre works at this track. Bridgestone have worked a lot since the IRTA tests, but we are still missing something. We have some new tyres to try tomorrow and I will make some changes in the set-up to suit them. I hope that these will be the solution. The team is working well so I am sure we can improve.” CHECA BUILDING CONFIDENCE Carlos Checa spent his first day attempting to improve the feel and set-up of his Desmosedici, yet still set a time only 1.2 seconds from fastest rider Marco Melandri. “I did not find the correct way to help me to go fast,” said the Spaniard, racing at his home circuit “I do not have the confidence to push hard with the feeling I have from the bike right now. I know the track very well because it is my home race, so we need to adjust the bike to find a better compromise. I am losing some time turning into corners and on the exits as well – especially during the T3 section of the track.” More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki: Team SUZUKI MotoGP searching for ideal set-up Team SUZUKI MotoGP used today’s free practice sessions for the Catalonian MotoGP to work on settings and tyre choice for Sunday’s race. Both crews worked vigorously throughout the day on setting up the Suzuki GSV-R prototype race bike to get the best performance and usability from the new engine development parts – being used for the first time this weekend. John Hopkins (P8, 1’44.138) was also pleased with the progress he made with the new Bridgestone race tyres. He said: “This track is suiting the Suzuki a lot better than Mugello did. We have some new parts and we have been working on getting them set-up right. “We’ve been doing long runs on race tyres. We ran through a handful of tyres and I’m pretty sure we’ve found what we will use a race tyre. So that’s good considering we’ve now got all tomorrow morning and half of the afternoon session to work on the final adjustment – before everybody goes for it with the qualifiers. “The Suzuki seems to be working fine around here at the moment and it’s certainly pulling its weight.” Hopkins’ Chief Technician Stuart Shenton was equally pleased with the day’s work: “We still have some settings to work on and more engine mapping to do. This will get the new parts working better than they have done today. “John was consistently lapping in the high 44’s and we need to get him in the low 44’s or even better high 43’s and I’m sure that will be possible. “We have done a lot of laps this afternoon on race tyres and I’m fairly confident we have got the tyre that we will use on Sunday already sorted.” Both sessions were held in brilliant sunshine and high temperatures at the fast and technically demanding Montmelo circuit. Marco Melandri on a Honda set today’s fastest time. Kenny Roberts Jr (P14, 1’44.668) also had success with finding – what his team believe – to be the best tyres for Sunday’s race. Roberts Jr was again one of only a few riders who improved on his fastest morning time in this afternoon’s session. Roberts Jr said: “Today has been the same as last Friday at Mugello. We have been trying settings and getting the bike the best we can get it for the race.” Team SUZUKI MotoGP will have another practice for the Gran Premio Gauloises de Catalunya tomorrow morning before the serious business of qualifying for Sundays race gets underway in the afternoon. The race – round six of the MotoGP World Championship – is at 14.00hrs CET on Sunday 12th June. More, from a press release issued by Telefonica Movistar Honda: MELANDRI SETS QUICKEST TIME ON FIRST DAY Tough start for Sete Gibernau, who suffers from deceleration problems CATALUNYA GP – MOTOGP FREE PRACTICE Sete Gibernau arrived home from Italy with plenty of work ahead of him and he started the job today as he looks to get back to top form at the Gran Premio de Catalunya, where his army of fans are hoping to see him ride with the same level of determination he showed during the MotoGP Test here just a few months ago. Sete clocked a best time of 1’41″851 in the preseason session and is hoping he can get close to that time again tomorrow. With barely any chance to rest between races, Sete today suffered from the corner entry problems but he is confident that the information gathered today will help him make a big step tomorrow and allow him to compete for a leading position on the starting grid. Marco Melandri set a good rhythm throughout the day and, after lapping 1.3 seconds inside the circuit lap record set by his team-mate last year, ended the first day of free practice on top of the time sheets. MARCO MELANDRI (1st, 1’43″317): “We had a good session today we started off with a good base set-up thanks to the data we had from the preseason tests and that was reflected in the result. I felt comfortable on the bike from the morning and we continued to improve in the afternoon after fitting some new tyres. Michelin are really helping me to improve traction at maximum lean angle. I’m very satisfied because I was able to set a good, consistent pace today. Tomorrow I want to improve in the last section of the track, which I am finding difficult, and I don’t want to get too excited about the race because it will be long and difficult.” SETE GIBERNAU (9th, 1’44″139): “Today was confirmation of the problems we had at Mugello: I’m having difficulty decelerating the bike into the corners. Even though I am braking earlier, the mid-corner speed is too high and that is not allowing me to hold my lines, so I’m losing time. It may sound contradictory but I would prefer to have these problems today because we still have time to improve. I am completely confident that my team will be able to find a solution.” More, from a press release issued by Fortuna Yamaha: ELIAS TRIED TO MAKE IT, BUT CHECA IS TO RACE AGAIN Not even the excitement of racing in front of his home fans could help Toni Elias overcome the pain of his injuries suffered in Le Mans. Thus, the FORTUNA YAMAHA rider – who took part in both sessions on Friday – will be replaced by David Checa, as he was at Mugello last week. Ruben Xaus, for his part, suffered a spectacular fall this morning but escaped unhurt. He went on to post the 17th fastest time of the day as he continues his adaptation the his Yamaha bike. Toni Elías (24): (Free session: 1.46.702, 18th + 3.051 10/22 laps) (Qualifying session: 1.47.746, 19th + 4.429 – 4/8 laps) Toni Elias tried everything. In the morning he managed to complete 22 laps despite the intense pain he was suffering from the injury to his left wrist. However, in the afternoon, with track conditions very hot, he was forced to retire from ‘his’ race. “I gave it everything. I managed a few minutes of qualifying which have left me hopeful about competing at Assen. Things went better than I expected in the morning, but I lost power in the afternoon and had to retire. I did not want to make things any worse and would prefer to wait a bit and be 100 percent for Assen. I had it in my head that I could make it through to Sunday and start the race, but my arm has said no sooner than I expected. I just have to accept that is how it is.” The absence of Elias means David Checa will again cover for him. The Spaniard was training at Magny Cours yesterday, but will now fly to Barcelona to stand in for his friend. David Checa: “I feel bad for Toni. I would prefer not to have to substitute for him in these circumstances, but there’s nothing that can be done in reality. I will try to give my best at a less demanding circuit than Mugello. Although it will not be easy for me because I only have one day to prepare for the race, I will give it my all.” Ruben Xaus (11): (Free session: 1.45.061, 16th + 1.410 10/19 laps) (Qualifying session: 1.45.374, 17th + 2.057 -16/19 laps) “I am very happy to be racing at home, in great weather in front of many fans and the bike is going better all the time. I hope to improve in the two sessions that are left and find a good rhythm for Sunday’s race.”