M2: German GP: Gresini qualifying report

A front row start was the objective for Toni Elias today and the Spaniard met his target with a determined display in this afternoon's qualifying practice. Toni stepped up his pace aggressively in the final twenty minutes of the session to seal third on the grid after establishing a good race pace that should see him racing amongst a packed and competitive front pack tomorrow. A late crash has failed to dampen his enthusiasm for a race that promises to be one of the most combative of the season.

Toni Elias ( 3rd - 1' 25" 664):

"I'm happy because after the test at Aragon we made a few changes to the bike that up to today hadn't had the desired effect - it had improved things a little but not much. Then in the final twenty minutes today I could feel a radical difference and I was able to make a major step forward. I was able to get into the 1'25s and that gives me confidence for tomorrow. Obviously it was important to qualify on the front row with such a tight and dangerous first corner. We'll try to get away well and hang on to Iannone. It was a shame about the crash, which was a daft mistake and I've made a few of them this weekend, so hopefully I don't make any in the race!"

Vladimir Ivanov (28th 1' 26" 775):

"I didn't make the progress I hoped for today. I was 28th fastest yesterday and didn't improve on it. Now we have to concentrate on the race and see if I can make some positions up. It won't be easy at this track but we'll try."

Fausto Gresini:

"Despite all the misadventure of this weekend so far we've worked hard and ended up with a result that seemed impossible until twenty minutes from the end of qualifying. A front row start was really important because there are so many riders on track and it's difficult to pass here. Toni has good pace and could maybe have improved again on the final lap if it wasn't for a stupid mistake but I am happy and confident."

-source: gresinsi Moto2