Sete Gibernau kicked off proceedings at the Valencian GP today with provisional pole position, confirming his motivation and desire to take victory at the final round of the season. Despite setting the fastest time at the end of the session, when Valentino Rossi and Troy Bayliss had both taken turns at the top, the Spaniard insists he cannot afford to relax. Sete wants to concentrate on improving his race pace and giving himself the best possible opportunity of delivering victory to his fanatical home support on Sunday.
Colin Edwards made several changes to his bike throughout the session and was rewarded in the final few minutes, even though he dropped a couple of places to seventh in the late push for times. The American is confident that the data gathered today will allow him to significantly improve his times tomorrow.
SETE GIBERNAU
(1st, 1’33”531): “We’ve arrived at our home Grand Prix in optimistic mood and we have started well. We’ve done a good job today although we’re still lacking a bit of rhythm. I need a bit more grip when the bike is leaned over and my feeling is not yet perfect. We’ve got work to do – amongst other things we need to find a rear tyre. Tomorrow we’ve got all day to get everything ready.”
COLIN EDWARDS
(7th, 1’34”394): “We suffered in the morning free practice and in the first part of qualifying trying to find the right set-up for this circuit. In the end we foun d the way forward and that gives me confidence for tomorrow. I am sure that I’ll improve my time.”
FAUSTO GRESINI
(Team manager): “I’m very happy with Sete’s pole because he’s showing that is very motivated althought the title is already decided. We are working well”.
LAP TIMES
- Sete Gibernau (Esp/Honda) 1’33”531
- Makoto Tamada (Jap/Honda) + 0”003
- Valentino Rossi (Ita/Yamaha) + 0”264
- Troy Bayliss (Ita/Ducati) + 0”571
- Max Biaggi (Ita/Honda) + 0”768
- Loris Capirossi (Ita/Ducati) + 0”793
- Colin Edwards (USA/Honda) a”863
- John Hopkins (USA/Suzuki) + 0”889
- Shinya Nakano (Jap/Kawasaki) + 0”944
- Alex Barros (Bra/Honda) + 0”969