German GP: Gresini Racing Saturday notes

MELANDRI CHALLENGES FOR POLE IN GERMANY

Just thirteen thousandths of a second separated Marco Melandri from pole position today after a resurgent performance from the Italian at the German Grand Prix. Nevertheless he will start from the front row of the grid in the tenth round of the season.

After lapping third fastest in the morning the Team Gresini Honda rider was able to continue his pace in the afternoon and then make the most of the Bridgestone qualifying tyres to challenge for top spot on the grid.

Now Marco's hopes lie in a good start in the race as he aims to stick with the front group and challenge for at least a podium finish.

Michel Fabrizio continued to make progress today, knocking a second off his best lap time from yesterday. Michel was able to improve his feeling with the bike with every lap and finished the session in 17th place, just 1.1 seconds off pole.

MARCO MELANDRI (3rd, 1' 22"397): "It's a nice feeling to be back on the front row. Thanks to the new material we've been given here at Sachsenring we've been able to make a big step forward. The bike is good fun to ride and I've got a good feeling. I made a small mistake in turn one on the qualifying tyre and only missed out on pole by a small fraction but I'm still satsfied with this result. On such a tight circuit, especially in the first sections, it is important to be starting from the front of the grid. I like the track and tomorrow I'm aiming for a top result. It will be a long race, with 30 demanding laps on a track which puts the riders and the tyres to the test and they are even predicting higher temperatures for tomorrow. I just want to say thanks to Honda and the team for their efforts and tomorrow I'd like to pay back Fausto Gresini with a good result."

MICHEL FABRIZIO (17th, 1'23"491): "Every time I've been out my feeling with the bike has improved and so has my rhythm. Compared to yesterday we've taken a big step forward, although I could have done with two more sessions to get to know the bike even more. The track was quite new for me too -- I haven't raced at Sachsenring since 2003 -- so I am happy with how things are going."

-credit: gresini