Spanish youngster qualifies as the top Honda in fourth place

DANI PEDROSA

(4^th. 1:38.698): “In general the session was positive. The injured finger hasn’t troubled me and I felt good although there are still some problems to resolve – as there always are on the first day of a Grand Prix. As far as the incident with Fonsi Nieto at the end of the session is concerned, the only thing I can say is that I can’t understand it. It has no logic or sense. If he was on a fast lap I could understand, but he wasn’t at all and the only thing he has done is mess me about. I passed him because I was on a quick lap and Fonsi was riding slowly, and when I was on my way out of the corner I saw his wheel and then suddenly his bike up my inside. I don’t get stressed out, I worry only about myself and the only thing I care about is doing my job carefully to improve every day. But it’s not the first time this has happened – he did it to Elías at Welkom and twice to West at Jerez and now in a qualifying session, there’s no need for it”.

HIROSHI AOYAMA

(11^th -1:45.822): “It was a typical Friday session, concentrating on getting used to another new circuit. The track is not too complicated but you need to brake well and accelerate hard. I am quite satisfied with the way I have felt today and hopefully tomorrow I can improve both my lap time and my position on the grid”.

ALBERTO PUIG

(Team Manager) : “What happened with Fonsi makes no sense because he wasn’t on a fast lap. He’s put himself and others in a dangerous situation. I get the impression that he’s feeling nervous. Apart from that the session was good for us - we did what we wanted to do and tomorrow we’ll have to improve”.

CLASSIFICATION

1. Sebastián Porto Aprilia 1:38.090

2. Randy De Puniet Aprilia 1:38.534

3. Manuel Poggiali Aprilia 1:38.661

4   Dani Pedrosa Honda 1:38.698

5   Roberto Rolfo Honda 1:39.127

6   Fonsi Nieto Aprilia 1:39.176

7   Toni Elías Honda 1:39.311

8   Franco Battaini Aprilia 1:39.358

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