The Catalunya Grand Prix started in spectacular fashion for the Telefónica MoviStar Honda MotoGP team as Sete Gibernau once again set the standard, taking pole position as he did at Mugello one week ago. Sete’s effort of 1’42”934 is almost a second quicker than Valentino Rossi’s pole time from last season of 1’43”927. Gibernau recovered from a crash in the morning free practice to take a provisional pole position in the afternoon session. Colin Edwards, fourteenth today, is still struggling to get comfortable on the Honda RC211V due to chattering problems but hopes to rediscover the form that saw him set some of the fastest times at the IRTA tests here in March.
SETE GIBERNAU
(1st, 1’42”934): “I wasn’t expecting to get into the 1’42s here, but once again the times are coming easily to me because everything is in the right place. We had a slight setback this morning because we didn’t quite have the front set-up right but the team did a great job and on my final two outings I found a really good feeling. I did a good time on the race tyre and on the qualifier it was sensational. The time gives me the chance to get some work done tomorrow and that’s how I like it – checking the feeling I’ve got and getting a good rhythm together for the race.”
COLIN EDWARDS
(14th, 1’44”609): “I am really disappointed. In the morning practice we had chattering problems all round the circuit apart from in the first two turns. We tried a few different solutions to sort it out but in the afternoon it was exactly the same. The only place I am quick – perhaps the quickest rider out there, is in T1 and T2, but the bike is unrideable for the rest of the lap”.
FAUSTO GRESINI
(Team Manager): “This is an important Grand Prix for Sete, the team and Telefónica because this is our home track and this pole is very important. We set a good time this morning but the lap time in the afternoon was extremely good and particularly important after the crash, which luckily had no serious consequences. Sete continues to show his great form and in front of his home crowd he has maximum motivation. Colin is having the same problems as at Mugello – we are concerned about the situation because we believe firmly in his potential, but we will help him get out of this tunnel”.
LAP TIMES
- Sete Gibernau (Esp/Honda) 1’42”934
- Max Biaggi (Ita/Honda) a 0”629
- Makoto Tamada (Jap/Honda) a 0”774
- Valentino Rossi (Ita/Yamha) a 0”776
- Nicky Hayden (USA/Honda) a 0”906
……
14. Colin Edwards (USA/Honda) a 1”675