Sete Gibernau began the Dutch TT in the best possible way today, setting provisional pole position on a day made difficult by the wind and the rain which fell constantly on the Assen circuit. The Telefónica MoviStar Honda MotoGP rider concentrated from the first session on getting the best posible wet weather setting for his RC211V, getting the most out of the afternoon session after completing just 6 laps in the morning. Sete clocked the best time some thirteen minutes from the end, gradually increasing his pace with three perfect laps which gave him over a second advantage at the top of the standings. Colin Edwards improved his feeling for the bike in the afternoon and provisionally qualified eighth with a time of 2’14”955.
SETE GIBERNAU
(1st, 2’12”540): “We are continuing on the right path. We’ve worked on finding the right wet set-up from the first session and in the afternoon we found it. We have started well but the weather is very changeable here and you can never relax – the most difficult bit is still to come even thought we are taking the right steps. Tomorrow will be another important session which will again depend on the weather. They are saying it could improve – hopefully it will be dry, and the race also. The important thing is that we are in a position to fight for the podium again and we are on the right track”.
COLIN EDWARDS
(8th, 2’14”955): “I can say that I feel a lot better today. This morning I was fighting with the bike and myself because I couldn’t understand what was going on – I just couldn’t find the right way forward and I have always gone well in the wet here. I made a small change this afternoon and everything went better. Now I am getting a feel for the bike and the wet setting is good – I’m pretty happy.”
FAUSTO GRESINI
(Team Manager): “I was a bit concerned this morning because Sete didn’t do many laps but he wanted to study the track conditions, try it out a little and get ready for the official practice. In the afternoon he was incredible again – this is a track he likes and he is very focused on giving his maximum. Colin moved up a level every time he went out on track. This could also be a good Grand Prix for him”.
LAP TIMES
- Sete Gibernau Honda 2’12”540
- Alex Barros Honda a 1”183
- Rubén Xaus Ducati a 1””336
- Michel Fabricio Harris WCM a 1”352
….
8. Colin Edwards (Honda) a 2”415