Yamaha Friday Report

Spanish GP

Lorenzo and Spies Complete First Day of Practice at Jerez

Round two of the 2011 MotoGP Championship got underway at Jerez today with Yamaha Factory Racing riders Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies getting their first European track time of the season. Reigning World Champion Lorenzo spent the two free practice sessions testing a new set up for the circuit, improving from the mornings fifth place finish to wrap up the afternoons final session in third, 0.522 seconds from the front. The combined times placed him fifth today ahead of tomorrows qualifying heat. Jorges teammate Spies spent the two sessions working on different set ups between bikes, focusing on front end feel and differing electronic set ups. The Texan finished in seventh place for both sessions, unable to improve on his morning time of 140.887 in the afternoon as a windier session slowed all riders a little. Both Spies and Lorenzo will start tomorrow looking to find a set up that delivers better traction for the fast corners and rapid direction changes of the circuit.

Jorge Lorenzo
Position 5th - Time 1'40.420 - Laps 23

This morning the track was perfect with no wind but in the afternoon it came so the riding was more difficult. Finally we finished third, the gap to the front is less than before and we hope to improve the bike more for tomorrow. After the good race at Qatar we are more motivated and this is one of the special rounds of the year so we hope to have a great race on Sunday.

Ben Spies, Yamaha Factory Racing, went seventh fastest in today's practice sessions.

Photo by: Yamaha Motor Racing

Ben Spies
Position 7th - Time 1'40.887 - Laps 34

Its not been the best day today, Im not very happy. We need to make some changes and Im confident we can improve. Having said that, the feeling Im having with the bike right now with the speed were doing is not too bad. Im not feeling very comfortable with how the bike is handling but its only Friday. We have tomorrow and we have Sunday morning and Im confident we can get the bike working better. I think this track can be good for the M1, we just need to change the setting and see how tomorrow goes. Well work on it and come back in the morning and go faster.

Wilco Zeelenberg - Yamaha Factory Racing Team Manager

Jorge finished in third position this afternoon finally and which was an ok result. We need to do more work for sure to make the next step up so we are not happy with it. We have a couple of ideas we want to try, especially for traction and turnability, both areas where we need to improve for tomorrows qualifying session.

Massimo Meregalli - Yamaha Factory Racing Team Director

On Bens side of the garage we are still trying to find the best bike set up, we tried some different solutions but after two practice sessions we are still not satisfied. We are going to check the data from both of his bikes and see what solutions we can try tomorrow morning to see if they will work and help him improve. Jorge had a better session this afternoon and moved closer to the front guys, the team are still not satisfied though and need to make another step forward. Im confident that both sides can make the necessary changes to give our riders the best opportunity in tomorrows qualifying.