Gresini Racing Qualifying Report

Second Row For Simoncelli, Fourth Row For Aoyama

Marco Simoncelli, San Carlo Honda Gresini

Photo by: Team Gresini

A small mistake from Team San Carlo Honda Gresini rider Marco Simoncelli on a potential front row lap meant that the Italian was forced to settle for a second row start in tomorrow's race at Jerez. Fifth place is a promising position for “Super Sic” to start from after demonstrating a competitive race pace during practice and establishing a positive feeling for his. His team-mate Hiro Aoyama suffered a blow to his knee in a crash early in the session but the fast lap he set on a hard tyre before that was enough to secure a fourth row start in the end. The Japanese rider now hopes to solve the chatter problem that led to the crash before tomorrow's race.

Marco Simoncelli (5th 1’ 39.486 ) “I made a little mistake on my way into the corner at turn nine and ran wide. I knew that lap was wasted so I came back to the pit but maybe that was the wrong decision because the tyre was still fresh so I should have stayed out there and tried to push for another lap. Anyway, it hasn't been a bad day at all even if this afternoon we struggled a little more than this morning, when I was able to set a steady 1’ 39.5 pace on a race tyre. Everybody seemed to struggle this afternoon though and as far as the race is concerned I think we are in better shape than Qatar. If we can repeat our lap times from this morning we should have fun.”

Hiroshi Aoyama (10th 1’'40.168 ) “I could have done without that crash. The afternoon started really well and we were in good shape to get a decent grid position. Unfortunately I had a bit of a chatter problem and maybe that was the reason for the crash. The pain in my knee made it difficult for the rest of the session but I hope it subsides tomorrow so that we can get our feeling back and have a good race.”

Fausto Gresini “Overall it has been a positive day apart from the crash for Aoyama. Simoncelli starts from the second row in fifth place and that is a good thing considering his race pace. Obviously, without the small error caused by an unforeseen change in the mapping, he could perhaps have got on the front row. It's not a problem for him though because he's still convinced he can have a top race. The crash for Hiroshi was a shame because it made things difficult for him. He was riding well despite a chatter problem on the front but the crash was a setback. I am sure he would have been further up the grid otherwise but he can still have a good race.

-source: geresini racing