On a first day of high temperatures and humidity at the Sachsenring circuit in Germany, the 250cc World Champion and current series leader Daniel Pedrosa found a good base set-up for his bike, which he will continue to refine tomorrow if the good weather persists.

If that is not the case the the rainy forecasts prove to be correct, Pedrosa at least has the cushion of a guaranteed front row start that is always crucial at the Sachsenring when it comes to avoiding potential risks in the tight first corner. Dani had some problems with one of his bikes in the morning but in the afternoon he found his rhythm in the low 1’26s and set the pace for much of the session, eventually stopping the clock with a fastest lap of 1’25”653.

Hiroshi Aoyama avoided the rollercoaster emotions of previous weekends and lapped consistently amongst the fastest riders throughout the two hours of practice. The Japanese rider qualified in a creditable fifth place today after challenging for the front row in the final few minutes of the session.

DANI PEDROSA (3rd, 1’25”653): “In the morning things got a little complicated because the bike wasn’t going well but in the afternoon qualifying session we managed to sort the situation out and set a good pace. By the final quarter of an hour we had everything under control,  the tyres and the set-up, and when I found a gap I pushed on my own. This circuit is very small and it is hard to find the limit and risk to find the final few tenths but I am satisfied. We need to touch up a few things to get a little more comfortable on the bike and I hope to do that tomorrow if it doesn’t rain. To start from the front row here is important because the first corner is very tight and the group can get very close together.” 

HIROSHI AOYAMA (5th, 1’26”183): “I missed out on the front row by very little but for the first day it’s not bad. I feel comfortable on the bike and I’m looking forward to the race after what happened in England. I don’t know what the conditions will be tomorrow or in the race on Sunday but I want to concentrate on getting a good result whether it is wet or dry.”

LAP TIMES

1. Alex De Angelis (RSM/Aprilia) 1’25”272
2. Jorge Lorenzo (Esp/Honda) + 0”268
3. Dani Pedrosa (Esp/Honda) + 0”381
4. Sebastián Porto (Arg/Aprilia) + 0”641
5. Hiroshi Aoyama (Jap/Honda) + 0”911
6. Casey Stoner (Aus/Aprilia) + 0”920
7. Randy De Puniet (Fra/Aprilia) + 1”247
8. Andrea Dovizioso (Ita/Honda)+ 1”308
9. Héctor Barberá (Esp/Honda) + 1”320
10. Simone Corsi (Ita/Aprilia + 1”483