Gresini Racing Czech GP qualifying report

Second row start for Simoncelli, Top ten for Aoyama

Marco Simoncelli, San Carlo Honda Gresini

Photo by: Bridgestone Corporation

Team San Carlo Honda Gresini riders Marco Simoncelli and Hiroshi Aoyama will start from the second and fourth row, respectively, for the Cardion ab Grand Prix Ceské republiky race in Brno.

Simoncelli was somewhat disappointed at the end of qualifying practice today, with a second row start certainly not reflecting the potential he had shown in free practice yesterday. The team will analyse the data tonight but it looks as though they will have to take a step backwards with the set-up, having lost an hour of dry time this morning in the wet final free practice. Hiroshi Aoyama was satisfied, however, the Japanese rider improving his confidence and pace to take another step forward into the top ten.

Marco Simoncelli: “I am a little disappointed because we have gone slower than yesterday and not made the improvements we hoped for. Obviously the conditions didn't help because with the rain this morning the track surface was not in the best shape. Other riders have clearly struggled with it too but it seemed to particularly affect us. Now we need to look at why that was and try to put things right for tomorrow.”

Hiroshi Aoyama: ”After the rain this morning we worked well this afternoon to find a decent set up. I am satisfied because tenth place is a good position for us at the moment, especially because the gap to the riders at the front is smaller. We will try and make a few small changes in the morning that give us a little more pace in some sections. Overall I am happy and hopeful of a good race for me and the team, who have worked so hard.”

San Carlo Honda Gresini press release.