US GP: Gresini Racing qualifying report

SATISFACTION FOR SIMONCELLI BUT DISAPPOINTMENT FOR MELANDRI IN LAGUNA QUALIFYING In qualifying practice for the USGP Marco Simoncelli once again showed his continued adaptation to MotoGP at a circuit he only rode for the first time yesterday.

SATISFACTION FOR SIMONCELLI BUT DISAPPOINTMENT FOR MELANDRI IN LAGUNA QUALIFYING

In qualifying practice for the USGP Marco Simoncelli once again showed his continued adaptation to MotoGP at a circuit he only rode for the first time yesterday. Having got to know the layout of the track the Italian made gradual progress today, centering much of his work around improving his speed through the famous Corkscrew corner. After qualifying on the third row of the grid he is confident of a good race tomorrow, having set solid lap times on his own that are up there with more experienced riders. There was little cause for satisfaction on the other side of the garage, where Marco Melandri was unable to make the most of the new electronics package on his Honda RC212V and had his best qualifying lap baulked by Mika Kallio.

Marco Simoncelli (9th 1' 22" 300): "I'm quite happy with that. We were struggling yesterday but that was normal because it was my first time at the track and considering everything it wasn't so bad. We weren't brilliant this morning, when we spent the session on a used tyre and made a few changes to the setting that didn't quite work. Thanks to the help of our Japanese technician from HRC, who made a suggestion about the set-up, the bike immediately felt better and I was able to ride alone and make progress. I wasn't following anybody for my fastest lap so that gives me a lot of confidence for the race. I'm happy I know my way around Laguna Seca now and I think I have the Corkscrew sorted out, so all in all I am satisfied."

Marco Melandri (11th 1' 22" 407): "It has been a difficult day and we have struggled a lot. The new electronics package definitely has a lot of potential but we need more time to set it up -- we are still a long way from getting the most out of it. In qualifying this afternoon Kallio got in my way in the Corkscrew when I was on my fastest lap and I lost it. But that doesn't cover up the fact that we are still some way off where we should be."

Fausto Gresini: "It was another positive day for Simoncelli. He hasn't been intimidated by the track and he has taken to learning it with determination, showing once again that he is working and developing on the right lines. The team did a good job to help him in this and I have to say thanks to Honda for all the support they are giving him and for the new electronics package they have put at our disposal this weekend. It clearly has a lot of potential but we need a little time to get the best out of it. Laguna Seca has always been a good track for Melandri but this year he is still struggling from the effects of his injuries and with so many left-handers he can't push to the maximum. We still have full confidence in him and we will continue to support him as we have up to now, giving him the best possible material. From a technical perspective we will help him as much as we can because we want him back on form as soon as possible."