Motorcycles and news

Moto GP: Preparations for last Race of Season well under way for Tamada October 28, 2006

The bike lovers’ most waited week end started today showing a paddock already full of people as on race day. The riders get the Valencia circuit accompanied by summer temperatures which permitted them to start their preparation work for Sunday’s race, the last for MotoGP with 990cc engines.

In the two hours’ free practice sessions, Makoto Tamada covered 53 laps in total clocking the fastest time of 1′33.689″ at the last lap of the afternoon session. The rider finished the day in 13th position of the Combined Classification, constantly setting the higher maximum speed.

Makoto Tamada KONICA MINOLTA Honda Rider (13° - 1′33.689″)
“Here at Valencia we have many references and therefore my Honda RC211V was effective since this morning’s practice session. The track conditions were really favourable and then we could immediately start with the race tires choice.”

Giulio Bernardelle KONICA MINOLTA Honda Technical Director
“Today we deeply worked on the race tires choice. We also had at our disposal the new front Michelin tires we have never used before. We are quite satisfied of the data we got and we think tomorrow they will facilitate the best race set up definition. In particular, we must find a solution for a problem of under-steering when entering the corner decelerating Makoto especially in the second and third sector.”

FREE PRACTICE - COMBINED TIMES

1. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team 1′32.220;
2. Randy de Puniet (FRA) Kawasaki Racing Team +0.188;
3. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Team Suzuki MotoGP +0.566;
4. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda Team +0.799;
5. Casey Stoner (AUS) LCR Honda +0.860;
6. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team +1.034;
7. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Camel Yamaha Team +1.054;
8. John Hopkins (USA) Team Suzuki MotoGP +1.149;
9. Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team +1.174;
10. Troy Bayliss (AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team +1.213
…
13. M.Tamada Honda 1′33.689″