Motorcycles and news

MotoGP: Melandri And Elias Consistent On First Day April 30, 2006

Marco is on the provisional front row whilst team-mate Toni Elias makes the second row, just three tenths behind pole position. The FORTUNA HONDA riders put in a solid showing on the first day of qualifying at the 2006 Turkish Grand Prix that took place in fine conditions at the Istanbul Park circuit. After a superb performance last season, Marco Melandri took an impressive victory at this circuit 12 months ago. The Italian rider started this season in good style also as he lapped consistently throughout the day to post the third best time. Team-mate Toni Elias was just 0.3 seconds of the fastest time of the day set by American Nicky Hayden. Toni spent long periods of this first session looking for the best set-up for his bike. The Spanish rider did a fine job and, like Melandri, lapped in consistent style.

MARCO MELANDRI (1′53″971, 3rd best time, 24 laps):
“I am very happy.I have finally rediscovered my feeling with the bike and am enjoying myself again. The test in Qatar allowed us to find a good base to work from which has really helped us. I like the Turkish circuit and feel comfortable here although there is still room for us to improve. I have found a good rhythm but still have to improve on coming out of the corners where I’m lacking a bit of traction. Tomorrow, depending on conditions, we will try some different Michelin tyres with a view to Sunday’s race.”

TONI ELIAS (1′54″022, 5th best time, 24 laps ):
“I am satisfied with our work today. We made some small changes to the set-up we found in Qatar and they worked perfectly. In the morning the track was really dirty and so we made the changes in the afternoon. I had a good rhythm throughout the day and am just 0.39 seconds behind the leading Honda of Nicky Haydem. I hope to learn from the first two races of the season and put in a good showing here.”

Temperatures: Ambient: 20 degrees. Track: 27 degrees

FREE PRACTICE - COMBINED TIMES

1. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda Team 1′55.623;
2. Casey Stoner (AUS) LCR Honda +0.238;
3. Marco Melandri (ITA) Fortuna Honda +0.348;
4. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team +0.378;
5. Toni Elias (SPA) Fortuna Honda +0.399;
6. Colin Edwards (USA) Camel Yamaha Team +0.419;
7. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team +0.432;
8. John Hopkins (USA) Team Suzuki MotoGP +0.604;
9. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Ducati Marlboro Team +0.656;
10. Makoto Tamada (JPN) JIR Konica Minolta Honda +0.799;