MotoGP
Japanese GP: Michelin qualifying report
MICHELIN MAN LORENZO GRABS POLE AT MOTEGI Michelin rider Jorge Lorenzo (Fiat Yamaha Team YZR-M1-Michelin) was in sensational form at Motegi this afternoon, recording the track's fastest-ever motorcycle lap to secure pole position for ...
Published: Sep 27, 2008, 8:39 AM
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MICHELIN MAN LORENZO GRABS POLE AT MOTEGI
Michelin rider Jorge Lorenzo (Fiat Yamaha Team YZR-M1-Michelin) was in sensational form at Motegi this afternoon, recording the track's fastest-ever motorcycle lap to secure pole position for tomorrow's Japanese Grand Prix. Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC212V-Michelin) also performed superbly, taking the final front-row slot. Colin Edwards (Yamaha Tech 3 YZR-M1-Michelin) was seventh quickest to lead row three, just ahead of Randy de Puniet (Honda LCR RC212V-Michelin).
"We are really happy with the lap times our riders did today, beating the qualifying record for this track," said Michelin's director of mot orcycle racing Jean-Philippe Weber. "Congratulations to Jorge, also to Nicky, and to all our riders who did a good job with their qualifiers. Conditions were good today, so we were able to finalise our work on race tyres. We expect a close and interesting race because everyone is pretty close on race tyres. We hope that the weather stays fine so we can have a good battle tomorrow."
Lorenzo and Hayden also impressed on race tyres, taking second and fifth positions in this morning's final free practice sessions. In yesterday's rain-lashed opening practice session Hayden led the way, proving the performance of Michelin's latest rain tyres.
This is Lorenzo's third consecutive front-row start. It is also his fourth pole of the year and his first since the Portuguese GP, which he went on to win. "That was an amazing lap, and today's result tastes better than my early season qualifying results," said the Spaniard. "We have worked very hard with Michelin here and I think we have a chance to fight for victory tomorrow."
Hayden is also feeling confident. "The engine is running well, the chassis is working good and Michelin has definitely made some improvements," he said. "We'll try to get a good start, then see what we've got in the race."
-credit: michelin
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