SETE TAKES POLE

The fifth of the season for a race of ultimate importance

Sete Gibernau will start tomorrow’s Australian Grand Prix from pole position (his fifth of the season) with the objective of holding his concentration throughout the race. His confidence on the bike and the consistently high rhythm he set in qualifying give him plenty of reason for optimism ahead of this potentially decisive Grand Prix. Valentino Rossi, who was unable to improve his time from yesterday, and Loris Capirossi will join him on the front row whilst just behind, in fourth place, lies his team-mate Colin Edwards, who is also focused on performing for his army of fans at Phillip Island.

SETE GIBERNAU

(1st, 1’30”122): “I have felt comfortable with the bike right from the first session and we have been able to concentrate on working in the same direction and preparing for the race. Everything is much easier when things are back to normal and even though we know it will be a long and hard race I think we are ready for anything. The pace is fast, the rhythm is good, and we know what tyre to use. Now we have to concentrate on making a good start, setting our rhythm and thinking only about ourselves - give everything without thinking about what is going on behind.”

COLIN EDWARDS

(4th, 1’30”625): “I am happy with today’s result. I missed the front row by twelve thousandths of a second! It will be a hard race but I am really motivated to do well in front of my fans. The session was tough at the start because we tried some different settings and tyres because there wasn’t much grip. But in the end we just put race tyres on and I felt comfortable with a fast pace. That made it a lot easier to go out on qualifying tyres. Tomorrow it will be really important to get a good start and stay with the boys from the front row.”

FAUSTO GRESINI

(Team manager): “You have to congratulate Sete for his pole, which was fantastic and also very important. Now we just want to concentrate on the race and on giving our best. Colin also rode at a high level, he’s got good rhythm and set a good time.”

LAP TIMES

1.      Sete Gibernau (Esp/Honda) 1’30”122

2.      Valentino Rosso (Ita/Yamaha) + 0”100

3.      Loris Capirossi (Ita/Ducati) + 0”491

4.      Colin Edwards (USA/Honda) + 0”503

5.      Makoto Tamada (Jap/Honda) + 0”594

6.      Alex Barros (Bra/Honda) + 0”635