The Telefónica Movistar Honda MotoGP team tackle the Grand Prix of Japan tomorrow with Marco Melandri on the front row of the grid and Sete Gibernau on the third row for the twelfth round of the season.

The Italian rider set the third fastest time of today’s qualifying session, half a second off the pole time set by his compatriot Loris Capirossi, whilst Sete was eighth tenths down and, for only the second time this season after Laguna Seca, was unable to make the front two rows of the grid.

However, the Spaniard is confident of getting a good start and maintaining the good pace he has shown in practice to keep his podium hopes alive. Marco Melandri, meanwhile, hopes to make the most of his good starting position to stay at the front from the start.

MARCO MELANDRI (3rd, 1’46”867): “It’s a nice feeling to be back on the front row. We’ve worked well over the last two days, finding a good setting for the race without worrying about the lap times. Today the bike improved and tomorrow we have to make some minor adjustments but I’m looking forward to what will definitely be a tough race. Michelin have helped me find the correct rear tyre and that has allowed me to take a step forward.”

SETE GIBERNAU (7th, 1’47”168): “Obviously I would have liked to be on the first or second row of the grid because here the first lap can be the key. I hope to get a good start and be in the top five from the start in order to have a chance at the end. My pace is good, we’ve worked well in that sense, but the first lap will be decisive. We’ve been trying out a few things and in the end we ran out of time with the qualifying tyre but we have made a choice on tyres and set-up. We’re all very close apart from Capirossi”.

 LAP TIMES

1. Loris Capirossi (Ita/Ducati)1’46”363
2. John Hopkins (Ita/Suzuki) + 0”498
3. Marco Melandri (Ita/Honda) + 0”504
4. Makoto Tamada (Jap/Honda)+ 0”680
5. Max Biaggi (Ita/Honda) + 0”726
6. Nicky Hayden (USA/Honda) + 0”803
7. Sete Gibernau (Esp/Honda) + 0”805
8. Kenny Roberts (USA/Suzuki) + 0”894