The Telefónica Movistar Honda MotoGP team made the best possible start to the Grand Prix of Turkey, with Marco Melandri and Sete Gibernau setting the pace on the first day of free practice.

Both riders quickly discovered the secrets to a circuit that combines hard-braking zones with fast corners and they spent the day switching places at the top of the time sheets, ending it as the only riders able to lap in 1’53”.

With this being a new circuit the MotoGP riders had an extra hour to get to know the circuit this morning and the team were able to make the most of it. Marco Melandri, who is fighting to finish as runner-up in the championship, has set the benchmark for tomorrow’s qualifying session, when the lap times are sure to come down dramatically.

Like his team-mate, Sete Gibernau set consistent lap times and recovered the pace he was missing at the last Grand Prix. Between them and the third fastest Honda there is currently a gap of almost one second.

MARCO MELANDRI (1^st, 1’53”506): “I am really satisfied. I liked the track straight away, we found the right way to work from the morning session and I immediately had a good feeling with the bike. It felt really natural to ride here because the bike was responding so well – the team have done a wonderful job. I am so happy – the tyres Michelin have brought here are working really well and the lap times are coming without having to push too hard. I want to keep my feet on the ground because no doubt the other top riders will be closer tomorrow but I’m feeling calm. We’ve started on the right foot.”

SETE GIBERNAU (2^nd, 1’53”945): “We all started off without knowing how things would go at a new track and things went well to start off with. In the morning we managed to find a good base after studying the data yesterday and this afternoon we reacted well, changing the bike to find a better balance between the hard braking and the fast corners. The bike is very stable now. We didn’t go out to set a fast time but I am happy because the rhythm has been very good. Whilst I’m looking forward to ending the season I want to do so in the best possible way.”

 LAP TIMES

1. Marco Melandri (Ita/Honda) 1’53”506
2. Sete Gibernau (Esp/Honda) 1’53”945
3. Nicky Hayden (USA/Honda) 1’54”774
4. Shinya NAkano (Jap/Kawasaki) 1’55”015
5. Valentino Rossi (Ita/Yamaha) 1’55”078
6. Carlos Checa (Esp/Ducati) 1’55”171
7. Colin Edwards (USA/Yamaha) 1’55”171
8. Toni Elías (Esp/Yamaha) 1’55”208