M2: German GP: Tech 3 qualifying report

Tech 3 Racing's Yuki Takahashi is confident he can challenge for a top five place in the German Moto2 race tomorrow.

The Japanese rider is still on a high after his stunning debut Moto2 victory at the Catalunya circuit earlier this month and his confidence showed with an encouraging qualifying performance on the tight, twisty and undulating Sachsenring track this afternoon.

With track temperatures well over 20 degrees cooler today than yesterday's sweltering conditions, Takahashi concentrated on improving turning performance with his Tech 3 Racing machine on his way to posting the 13th best time, just 0.006s away from the third row.

Continuing to use a new chassis he rode to victory in Barcelona, Takahashi worked closely with his Tech 3 Racing crew to improve handling in the flowing final two sections of the track. He made major progress with various chassis tweaks and is confident further modifications for the warm-up session will bolster his hopes of success in the 29-lap race.

Takahashi clocked a best time of 1.26.120 to finish just under 0.5s away from second on the grid and is hoping to avoid what is sure to be a chaotic first corner with 41 bikes jostling for space at the tight right-hand turn.

Raffaele de Rosa was unable to capitalise on a brilliant practice performance and he ended up 24th on the grid as he continues his quest to score his first points of the season.

The Italian was boosted by chassis set-up changes made at the recent test session at the Motorland Aragon track in Spain.

He clocked the fifth best time in practice but was unfortunately unable to replicate that form in qualifying and a best time of 1.26.600 left him less than 0.5s away from ninth, with less than two seconds dividing the top 32 riders.

Yuki Takahashi 13th 1.26.120 -- 23 laps

"I'm quite satisfied because I wanted to build on the momentum we gained with the win at Barcelona recently. That victory gave us a lot of confidence and belief and it was a decent session when you look at the times and see I'm only a small gap away from second place. The good thing is I know where we can improve and the team will work hard to make some set-up changes tonight to improve the bike in T3 and T4. That's where I'm losing a lot of time with some turning issues but I'm sure the changes we have planned will be a big step in the right direction. I was really close to the third row and it is going to be a tough race. Overtaking at this track is not easy but I hope to make a good start and avoid trouble at the first corner. If I can do that I'm sure I can fight for the top five."

Raffaele de Rosa 24th 1.26.600 -- 27 laps

"I have to admit I expected to be much higher up than 24th on the grid. We know that starting from that far back how difficult it is and the race is almost compromised before you start. We found a really good base setting at the Motorland test and I felt much more comfortable on the bike. That showed when I was fifth quickest in practice and that gave us confidence that we could achieve a much higher grid position. But I ran into some traffic on my last run otherwise I believe I could have been much quicker. It is a shame but the better feeling I have with the bike now, I'm hoping to have a strong race."

-source: tech 3 moto2