Motorcycles and news

Moto GP 250: Barbera and Lorenzo Second and Third at Valencia Opening October 28, 2006

The Fortuna Aprilia team got off on the right foot at the Grand Prix of Valencia as both its riders qualified on the provisional front row of the grid. Héctor Barberá set the second fastest time, just 0.043 seconds behind pacesetter Hiroshi Aoyama. Jorge Lorenzo was third fastest after riding his second bike and running into traffic at the end of the session. Andrea Dovizioso, the only man capable of denying Lorenzo of the 250cc title, completes the provisional front row. Both Fortuna Aprilia riders are confident of improving their performance in tomorrow’s final practice sessions, when they will aim to defend their front row positions in front of the Spanish fans.

HECTOR BARBERA, 2nd (1.36.025)
“I found it tough to get on the pace in the afternoon but in the end the lap time was good and so was the position. I like this circuit and the support from the crowd makes you feel stronger. I’ve got my confidence back and I’m ready for a top race. The team have been great to me this season and we want to finish the job with a top result. I want to help the team win the World Championship and if Jorge needs me I will be there.”

JORGE LORENZO, 3rd (1.36.504)
“I tried to enjoy myself today because that is the best way to go fast. We can win but we know there is a difficult challenge ahead of us. I just want to ride as I have all season and hopefully everything will go well. I could be nervous but when I think that I am in a position that every rider on the grid would like to be in then that disappears. There is something important on the line but I have to enjoy myself and I did that today even though the times might not reflect that. We had a slight electrical fault on the first bike and ended the session with the second one, a bit like in Portugal. Tomorrow we’ll continue working and I’m sure the lap times will come down.”