MotoGP
Valencian GP: Gresini Racing Friday practice report
HONDA GRESINI RIDERS LOOKING FOR GRIP AT COOL VALENCIA San Carlo Honda Gresini pair Alex de Angelis and Toni Elias took to the track for the final Grand Prix of the season as free practice got underway at Valencia this afternoon. Pleasant autumn ...
Published: Nov 8, 2009, 7:33 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
HONDA GRESINI RIDERS LOOKING FOR GRIP AT COOL VALENCIA
San Carlo Honda Gresini pair Alex de Angelis and Toni Elias took to the track for the final Grand Prix of the season as free practice got underway at Valencia this afternoon. Pleasant autumn sunshine welcomed the weekend's first fans to the circuit but it did little to raise track temperatures any higher than 17C, making the main focus for both riders on finding rear grip around the short and twisty circuit.
Elias found the conditions particularly challenging, having struggled for rear grip at a variety of circuits throughout the season, and could only manage the fourteenth fastest time, although De Angelis fared better and was an impressive sixth.
Alex De Angelis (6th; 1'34.106): "We've got a slight problem finding grip for the rear, in particular on the right side of the tyre, but I think that's the same for everybody and it is to be expected on the first day here at Valencia. We've also got a little chatter on the front end that we need to solve but in general terms it's a case of making small improvements in three or four areas and we'll be on the pace. I'm happy though because we have made a positive start to the weekend."
Toni Elias (14th 1'34.873): "This is one of the most difficult circuits to find grip at and like in a lot of races this season we have struggled to find it in the first hour of the weekend. We're struggling for stability on the way into the corners and traction on the way out and the cooler temperatures certainly aren't helping -- especially in the right-handers. We'll have a look at the data tonight, make some changes to the bike and I'm sure we'll be more competitive tomorrow."
Fausto Gresini - Team Manager: "Alex has done a good lap time and I'm happy with his performance today. He still has a couple of problems to solve, especially with rear grip in the right-handers, but I'm sure the track conditions will improve as the weekend progresses and no doubt his set-up will too. Toni has a similar problem but is a little further back so we need to work hard with him because this is an important race for him."
-credit: gresini racing
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Valencian GP: 125: Race results
Next article Valencian GP: Repsol Honda Friday practice report
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Toni Elias
Elias: Rossi still hasn't forgiven me for Estoril '06
MotoGP
MotoGP
Elias: Rossi still hasn't forgiven me for Estoril '06
MotoGP riders outshone as Beach wins Superprestigio crown
Other bike
Other bike
Dirt Track: Superprestigio
MotoGP riders outshone as Beach wins Superprestigio crown
Elias to see out MotoGP season with Forward
MotoGP
MotoGP
Elias to see out MotoGP season with Forward
Latest news
GTA VI 'Vice City' blimp to appear at NASCAR championship weekend
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
4 h
GTA VI 'Vice City' blimp to appear at NASCAR championship weekend
Verstappen Racing struggles to 15th as Porsche takes emotional Portimao pole
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
WCEE GT World Challenge Europe Endurance 5 h
Verstappen Racing struggles to 15th as Porsche takes emotional Portimao pole
Franco Colapinto urges fans to stop the abuse: “You’re not helping me or my future”
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
10 h
Franco Colapinto urges fans to stop the abuse: “You’re not helping me or my future”
Gresini: New MotoGP rules won't increase gap between factory and satellite teams
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Indonesian GP
10 h
Gresini: New MotoGP rules won't increase gap between factory and satellite teams
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe