Italian GP: Gresini Racing Friday notes

WEATHER AFFECTS PLAY ON FIRST DAY OF HOME RACE FOR TEAM SAN CARLO HONDA GRESINI

The first day of free practice for Team San Carlo Honda Gresini's home Grand Prix took place today, with the riders forced to tackle adverse weather conditions throughout the two hour-long sessions.

Alex De Angelis and Shinya Nakano were fourth and fifth fastest respectively in mixed conditions during the morning, whilst heavier rain and a completely wet track made the going much tougher in the afternoon, when they were eleventh and fifteenth.

However, Alex was satisfied with his day and his overall position, after returning to the battle for leading positions during the morning session. Shinya, meanwhile, was the victim of a heavy fall during the afternoon. The Japanese rider was taken straight to the Clinica Mobile, where Doctor Costa's staff were able to report that he had escaped any major injuries.

Alex De Angelis (11th - 2.03.765): "I was satisfied with free practice today because in both the morning and afternoon sessions I set a consistent pace and was in touch with the six fastest riders. I only dropped my pace in the last 15 minutes of the session when we decided to try out a harder tyre compound, which didn't improve my speed. In any case it was important for us to test everything Bridgestone put in front of us today so that I could understand the difference in their performance on track. In the afternoon I wasn't as quick as the morning because the track was completely wet but I am confident because my feeling with the bike is really good here and it's just a case of picking the right tyre according to the conditions."

Shinya Nakano (15th - 2.05.634): "After a really satisfying morning practice when I ended up fifth fastest, I was hoping to show the same kind of pace in the afternoon. Unfortunately, though, the track conditions changed completely, the surface was very wet and almost at the end of the afternoon session I crashed coming into the final corner. It is a fast part of the track so it was a heavy fall but fortunately I am okay. We'll have a look at the data and try to work out why I crashed but now my focus is to put it behind me and concentrate on tomorrow. The weather forecast is good and that makes me confident."

-credit: gresiniracing.com