MOTOPROGP

Marco Melandri

In the right package of ten since the start of the meeting, Marco Melandri has impressed the world by finishing fifth in the second trial session, preliminary to a qualification that has concluded in eleventh position with his reserve bike. The fault is going out the track during the test and a engine stalled. But for this first Grand Prix of the year in Qatar, Melandri was surprised with his time on the Hayate Kawasaki bike, so he is very satisfied with his fate:

"It’s to bad there was this incident but we are in the middle of the pack which is very positive. We'll see how the race will turn because there are just a few small changes to make on the bike. "Said Marco.

"Everything was set up so late and we had so little time, only two tests to get it all together. I am very happy. Since Jerez, we worked on electronic engine management in the braking phase and many other things in the field of programming. We work really as a team and i love it. "

Valentino Rossi

The pilots have now taken notes of the Losail track witch will be the scene tonight of the first Grand Prix of the season of Moto GP and have noted that the new tires that Bridgestone has made available since the manufacturer's unique rule is in force are extremely aggressive. Indeed, we must find the right balance between speed and regularity and last rounds may reserve a few twists which Valentino Rossi already experience:

"The question of the tire wear will inevitably arise in the six or seven rounds, and I think it will be fun," predicts the Yamaha pilot. "The track is quite dirty and it will stress the tires. So to start from the second position is very important and it was also our goal. "

"We knew this trip was not one of our favorites and that Stoner would be very hard to control. There are still some places where I can be a bit faster. We will find it in the data and test solutions at the meeting of global warming. Everyone has the same tires, we all know to worries about tires grip and this will make the race very interesting. "

Casey Stoner

The lessons of the past year have Ducati, avoid any surrendering excess of optimism so that if there is a legitimate satisfaction with the way Casey Stoner dominated the test since the start of the meeting in Qatar, we remain cautious on Following the events.

And the first to swear to anything is the person himself who has the two Yamaha pilots on his heels in the night race to reveal the conduct of his tires designed by a single manufacturer now while there is also this history of wrist convalescent unknown who will play this already complex equation:

"With this track quite dirty and changing, it is difficult to be certain what your settings will give ." warned the 2007 World Champion . "It is impossible to foresee what will happen, although in general, I am quite happy with my choice. The most important start of this season will be for us to take points and stay focused on our work. In fact, we won’t wait to the middle of the year to find solutions to our problems. "

Seriously crumpled after a spectacular fall during the latter stages of qualification, Nicky Hayden considers his ability to take the start of his centenary Grand Prix after meeting warming.

Casey Stoner

Stoner and Rossi have refined the last details of their duel ahead for this first Grand Prix of the MotoGP season in Qatar. The two pilots who closely follow each other were the only ones below 1'57 and they are followed by Andrea Dovizioso who has constantly move up in the hierarchy at each of his test. Randy is eighth while Toseland a top 10. Also are Melandri and Capirossi.

With its thirteenth Gibernau leads the way up the lame, just ahead of his countryman Pedrosa while Hayden is back with its sixteenth place.

Chronos:
1. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 1min 56.697 sec
2. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 1min 56.759 sec
3. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda Team 1min 57.379 sec
4. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team 1min 57.399 sec
5. Colin Edwards USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1min 57.449 sec
6. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini 1min 57.658 sec
7. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1min 57.700 sec
8. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP 1min 57.874 sec
9. Marco Melandri ITA Hayate Racing Team 1min 58.097 sec
10. James Toseland GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1min 58.344 sec
11. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1min 58.361 sec
12. Toni Elias SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini 1min 58.556 sec
13. Sete Gibernau SPA Grupo Francisco Hernando 1min 58.878 sec
14. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team 1min 58.902 sec
15. Mika Kallio FIN Pramac Racing 1min 59.129 sec
16. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team 1min 59.398 sec
17. Yuki Takahashi JPN Scot Racing Team MotoGP 1min 59.679 sec
Niccolo Canepa ITA Pramac Racing 1min 59.912 sec

Qatar - Losail

Incroyable but true, the thick rain falls on the Losail track, a circuit yet out of the Qatar desert. The disadvantage is that we wanted to organize a race at night and that reflects of the powerful light and moisture makes driving a Grand Prix machine impossible.

So that the first appointment of the season in the elite just fallen into the water, literally as figuratively. That is what the tenants think of appointments at night, at 52 years starting with Hervé Poncharal who recently confessed his opinions , about race at night.

It’s precisely what the President of IRTA is doing with all his colleagues and other decision makers in the world of Moto GP. And this reflection on whether to postpone the start of the race tomorrow, Monday, around twenty hours. A decision not so easy to take because of airline tickets were taken, and the voyage to Japan plus the cargo plane where the next meeting is already planned.

The MotoGP paddock’s drowning in a glass of water,the reputation of excellence in the environment seems to take the appearance of a mirage.

Valentino Rossi

Valentino Rossi has split a comment felt well when he had to rush back to his box, as he was, like all his colleagues to run for the first Grand Prix of the season of Moto GP. "First, to those in the head to a night race at Sepang, that experience would make them think," said the World Champion. Hervé Poncharal undoubtedly appreciate. "My view is that we need to run day. When you're the night, the rain is a major risk. "

"It's a shame because after six months of abstinence, and many efforts during the winter, being at that point it’s frustrating. If the Grand Prix is canceled, we will only have sixteen races in the calendar year. We want to run, but what can we do? "In this shrinking championship, Loris Capirossi has himself proposed a solution: putting Qatar on September 20 when would be the canceled Hungarian Grand Prix.

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Sunday, April 12, 2009

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