Australian GP: Gresini Racing qualifying report

FANTASTIC FOURTH AND SECOND ROW START FOR SIMONCELLI

The sun shone on Phillip Island and on Marco Simoncelli today as the Italian rookie recorded his best ever qualifying result with fourth place on the grid for tomorrow's race. The Team San Carlo Honda Gresini took another important step forward today, carrying forward his good recent form at a track he likes. In wet conditions yesterday he showed his potential and today he confirmed it in the dry. There was disappointment for Marco Melandri again today, the experienced Italian still struggling to fulfill his potential.

Marco Simoncelli (4th 1'31" 402) "I am really happy because we have qualified on the third row for the last few races but today I managed it and with a little bit more I could have been on the front row! I'm really pleased with this although being honest I have to admit that Spies is probably a bit faster. We have made a good step this morning though and now all we have to do is look ahead to the race. The wind was a bit of a problem today, especially when I was on my fast lap. I was behind Stoner at that point and I honestly cannot understand how he manages to go so fast!"

Marco Melandri (10th 1'32" 367 ) "Another terrible day. We're working hard without a minimal sign of improvement. We have so many problems, to be honest I can't wait for the season to finish."

Fausto Gresini "I am delighted with the fourth fastest time for Simoncelli and a second row starting position for tomorrow's race. As we already saw yesterday he has made continual improvements over these last three races and today he did a great job. He was fast and consistent in the damp conditions yesterday and did a good job again today, so we hope he can reproduce it in the race tomorrow although the signs are very positive. Melandri continues to suffer and still cannot find a feeling with the bike. I am very disappointed but we will not give up until the end and we will do all we can."

-source: gresini racing