DANI PEDROSA

(4^th-1:55.035): “Mugello is a particularly difficult circuit for me – maybe the toughest on the calendar. Also, Aprilia have done a lot of testing here and they have a much clearer idea about their set-up. I am just adapting to it bit by bit, trying to improve in each session and clocking up kilometres on the 250. The important thing for me right now is to get my rhythm together without worrying about anybody else’s lap times”.

HIROSHI AOYAMA

(13^th-1:57.165): “As with every race since I started in the World Championship, Friday is for learning a new circuit. Mugello is very long, complicated and bumpy. My position doesn’t really matter at the moment – the most important thing is that I have improved by three seconds between the morning and afternoon sessions. I obviously need a lot more laps to unlock the secrets to this circuit but I am happy because I have a good feeling so far”.

ALBERTO PUIG

(Team manager): “We knew we would have our work cut out here because it is one of the most technical and difficult circuits in the world. What I am looking at, as always, is the continual progression being made by my two riders.  That is the way we do things – trying to be better every time we go out on the track and preparing ourselves for the race”.

LAP TIMES

1. Sebastián Porto Aprili 1:53.691

2. Randy De Puniet Aprilia 1:54.571

3. Manuel Poggiali Aprilia 1:54.855

4. Dani Pedrosa Honda 1:55.035

5   Franco Battaini Aprilia 1:55.143

6   Alex de Angelis Aprilia 1:55.159

7   Toni Elias Honda 1:55.789

8   Fonsi Nieto Aprilia 1:56.246