Seventh place on the grid for Hiroshi Aoyama
DANIEL PEDROSA
(1st, 1’36”367): “This afternoon I crashed just a few minutes into the session. It was an unexpected crash and it upset our plans because I had to continue with the second bike, which had a different configuration and I wasn’t as comfortable with it. In any case I was able to hang on to pole, even though the front row is close. We’ll have to wait and see what the track conditions are like tomorrow because I really want to have a good race”.
HIROSHI AOYAMA
(7th, 1’37”123): “I was hoping to hold on to my place on the front row but it wasn’t possible. I didn’t manage to get behind another rider who knows the secrets to this circuit. I improved the set-up of the bike a lot and we just have a few things to try in the warm-up. It will be crucial to make a good start if I’m going to get a good result”.
ALBERTO PUIG
(Team manager): “Dani’s crash definitely wasn’t in our plans but luckily he didn’t hurt himself. Both he and Hiro are giving everything because they both want to dedicate a good performance to the crowd.”
LAP TIMES
- Daniel Pedrosa (Esp/Honda) 1’36”367
- Sebastián Porto (Arg/Aprilia) + 0”168
- Alex de Angelis (RSM/Aprilia) + 0”433
4. Randy de Puniet (Fra/Aprilia) + 0”446
5. Toni Elias (Esp/Honda) + 0”533
6. Franco Battaini (Ita/Aprilia) + 0”704
7. Hiroshi Aoyama (Jap/Honda) + 0”756
8. Manuel Poggiali (RSM/Aprilia) + 0”940