Chinese GP: Pramac d'Antin Friday notes

DEBUT UNDER THE RAIN FOR PRAMAC D'ANTIN MOTOGP RIDERS IN CHINA

A day characterized by the rain on the Chinese circuit, as it already had been predicted last week. Today, the two PRAMAC D'ANTIN MOTOGP riders discovered the circuit of Shanghai under the rain; ALEX HOFMANN obtained the 18th time and JOSE LUIS CARDOSO classified himself 19th, unfortunately victim of two crashed (without consequences) that didn't allow him to make more than 23 laps during the whole day.

For tomorrow, the Team is hoping dry conditions. There will be another session of free practice in the morning, before the single qualifying session reserved to the MotoGP class riders, at 2 p.m. (GMT+8).

ALEX HOFMANN #66 (18th - 2'15.897): "We're making the maximum, the Team is really working at 100%. Today, under the rain, we had some difficulties in the exit of the corners, when you open the throttle: I need more adherence. For tomorrow, let's hope the weather will be good, to get the opportunity to ride on a dry track and try some new slick tyre. About the track, I can say I like it, it's fast though it has all slow corners. On the dry, my sensations would surely change and I really hope to get to know it tomorrow".

JOSE LUIS CARDOSO #30 (19th - 2'19.416): "Unfortunately, today I only made 23 laps and had no opportunity to make lots of km. I crashed twice at the end of the long straight, losing the front with the motorcycle still upright and, tomorrow, if it will go on raining, we will need to work a lot to find more grip and allow me to get more confidence on the front. The situation would surely be better if the track would be dry. We will see it tomorrow, anyway I can say I like this circuit, it's quite slow but it's nice".

EMANUELE MARTINELLI - Track Engineer of Alex Hofmann: "Today, on the wet, things didn't go very well, Hofmann needs more adherence on the rear in the exit of the corners, to be able to use the full power our DUCATI has got in acceleration. In conclusion, if it will go on raining, we will concentrate ourselves on finding more grip; and if it will be dry, we will have the occasion to try a new tyre of our official supplier, DUNLOP, and this would be great to get the chance to go on with the work we did in Turkey".

-pda