Despite not improving his rhyhtm as hoped
Sete Gibernau remains highly motivated and in confident mood as he searches for another victory at the Ricardo Tormo circuit tomorrow in the final Grand Prix of the season. The Telefónica MoviStar rider knocked over half a second off his provisional pole time from yesterday, an effort which was good enough for second place on the definitive starting grid but without significantly improving his race pace as hoped. Sete is confident that, along with the team, he can find the key in tomorrow’s warm-up which will allow him to be competitive in the race. Colin Edwards, who improved his provisional time by almost a second, will start from the third row in his final appearance on the Honda RC211V. The American is hoping to make a good start and say good bye to the team with a podium.
SETE GIBERNAU
(4th, 1’32”936): “As I said yesterday, I think we’re still lacking a bit of race pace, which is what really counts. We’ve got more work to do in the morning warm-up than we would really like. On the last lap I got held up a little but it’s not an excuse. We have improved a bit but not enough to be too relaxed ahead of the race. It will be tough and we have to be 100% ready. I want to end the season with victory at my home round and I’m hopeful of having the opportunity to do that.”
COLIN EDWARDS
(8th, 1’33”438): “I am satisfied with the set-up that we have for the race, although it’s a shame I wasn’t able to make better use of the qualifying tyre because Melandri got in my way. I need to get a good start tomorrow from the third row and then give everything to stay at the front and fight for the podium.”
LAP TIMES
- Makoto Tamada (Jap/Honda) 1’32”815
- Max Biaggi (It/Honda) + 0”016
- Valentino Rossi (Ita/Yamaha) + 0”098
- Sete Gibernau (Esp/Honda) + 0”121
- Nicky Hayden (USA/Honda) + 0”184
- Troy Bayliss (Aus/Ducati) + 0”268
- John Hopkins (USA/Suzuki) a”607
- Colin Edwards (USA/Honda) + 0”623