TT Assen: Gresini Racing qualifying report

SECOND ROW FOR SIXTH FASTEST ELIAS AT ASSEN

Team Gresini rider Toni Elias will start tomorrow's race at Assen from the second row of the grid after qualifying sixth fastest -- a position that doesn't totally satisfy the Manresa man but one that is at least a vast improvement on his starting position at Silverstone. The Spaniard's race pace is good and a decent start will see him up amongst the frontrunners at the Dutch TT. Vladimir Ivanov injured his knee in a crash this morning but was able to return to the track for the afternoon session.

Toni Elias ( 6th 1' 39" 711): "It was a difficult session because of the amount of traffic on track and maybe with a clear run I could have done better but we have to make do with this sixth place. The second row is still positive and better than the result at Silverstone. Now it will be important to try and get a good start tomorrow and avoid any problems in the race. We have worked well even if we don't have the same pace as Iannone but tomorrow unlike Mugello we'll try to stay with him and not let him escape. "

Vladimir Ivanov (29th 1' 40" 716): "Despite the pain from the injury I suffered this morning I was able to make some positions up from yesterday and more importantly improve my time by a second. The crash was a shame because I was riding well and I felt I could have been challenging for a spot within the top twenty."

Fausto Gresini: "After yesterday and this morning I expected a little more but we weren't able to improve. We should be doing better after three full sessions on track but we have struggled to make progress, even though the race pace is decent. We will try some things in the warm-up tomorrow to improve Toni's pace in the final sector. It is going to be a long, hard race but I hope with his usual grit and determination Toni can do well."

-source: gresini racing