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FRENCH GP. 2nd. OFFICIAL QUALIFYING PRACTICE


Fecha 15-05-2004



Colin Edwards fifth but hopeful of star role in the race

 

Sete Gibernau will defend his leadership of the MotoGP World Championship tomorrow starting from pole position at the French Grand Prix. A slight improvement in his physical condition and the progress made during tests at Jerez last week combined to bear fruit in the final qualifying session, when Colin Edwards was unable to improve on his provisional pole time and dropped to fifth.

Expectations ahead of tomorrow’s race are high for Fausto Gresini’s team – not only with quick lap times but also with a good rhythm which should see both riders involved in the battle for victory.

 

 

SETE GIBERNAU

 

(1ST 1’33”425):  “This is fantastic. It is the result of the hard work we put in at Jerez last week, where we had a good test with Honda and Michelin to try and solve the chattering problems. Although it’s not completely resolved, we have been able to set some good times. I am a bit worried because I’m still suffering from a fever but hopefully I can get some rest in now and see if it improves. I am looking forward to the race, I have a good rhythm and Michelin have done an impressive job. I think that if the fever clears up I can go out and fight for victory tomorrow”.

 

 

COLIN EDWARDS

 

(5th - 1’33”870): “We chose a tyre for the race and we made a mistake because the temperature was different from yesterday – some eight degrees hotter and I couldn’t better my time. We didn’t realise straight away and spent 45 minutes on those tyres. We changed, but it was too late. In the race we will see what happens. My rhythm was perfect, now we just have to choose the right tyre.”

 

 

 

FAUSTO GRESINI

 

(Team Manager): “I am very happy because Sete felt better than yesterday and demonstrated it on the track. He went very well and I think he benefited from the hard work we did at the test at Jerez. At this circuit it is very important to get away well because the track is very narrow. It was a very hard session and difficult to stay ahead constantly. Colin could not better his time from yesterday because he made a small error and by not coming back into the box he lost the chance of doing a quick lap. All in all, we have done some work and I am confident that Sete can challenge for victory in the race.”

 

 

LAP TIMES

 

  1. Sete Gibernau (Honda) 1’33”425
  2. Carlos Checa (Yamaha) 1’33”575
  3. Max Biaggi (Honda) 1’33”579
  4. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 1’33”668
  5. Colin Edwards (Honda) 1’33”870