Sete Gibernau announced in Germany that he would be back to win races in the second half of the MotoGP World Championship whilst Marco Melandri aimed to return as fresh as he had started the season.

Today’s return to action in the Czech Republic confirmed that both riders are ready to give their best in the seven races remaining of the current campaign.

The pair immediately felt comfortable at the Czech circuit in the first free practice and after today’s two sessions they lie in third and fourth place respectively after both taking turns at the top of the time sheets.

Both riders set a good and consistent pace in the mid 1’59 mark, which is only a couple of tenths off the circuit record set here by Alex Barros in 2003.

SETE GIBERNAU (3rd, 1’59”454): “The holidays were really good but I was looking forward to coming back. I want to end the season with the best possible results and my aim is to have a good boost at Brno. I already felt good in the morning and this afternoon we made careful progress. The rhythm is good and basically tomorrow we just need to adjust a few small things and choose the tyres for the race.”

MARCO MELANDRI (4th, 1’59”469): “We’ve made a good start after the summer break, working from a good base setting and making small steps forward. The track is a little more bumpy compared to last year and we’ve had to work hard to improve the way the bike handles the track surface with the help of Michelin. I’m happy with this first day of work”.

LAP TIMES 

1. Valentino Rossi (Ita/Yamaha) 1’59”278
2. Loris Capirossi (Ita/Ducati) + 0”088
3. Sete Gibernau (Esp/Honda) + 0”176
4. Marco Melandri (Ita/Honda); + 0”191
5. Kenny Roberts (USA/Suzuki) + 0”477
6. Carlos Checa (Esp/Ducati) + 0”529
7. Nicky Hayden (USA/Honda) + 0”555
8. Colin Edwards (USA/Yamaha) + 0”589
9. Alex Barros (Bra/Honda) + 0”713
10. John Hopkins (USA/Suzuki) + 0”765