Daniel Pedrosa managed to get the most out of the Shanghai circuit as he sealed a front row start for tomorrow’s race. After two difficult sessions yesterday because of the weather, the riders enjoyed improved conditions today and the progress was clearly seen in their lap times.
The team spent the morning free practice improving their set-up for this circuit, where it is important to find a balance for the two different sections: two long straights, where the Honda has endured less problems with top speed than expected, combined with small and tight corners. Pedrosa ended the final free practice as the fastest rider, with Hiroshi Aoyama trailing by just three tenths.
With most of his set-up work completed, Pedrosa continued to lap at a high pace in the afternoon qualifying session and, after leading from the start, was only relegated to second place by Casey Stoner on the final lap, the Australian improving the Spaniard’s time by just 0.018 seconds. Dani knocked 3.4 seconds off his best time in the dry yesterday morning and has a good pace for the race. His only doubt now is which tyre to use. Hiro finished in a creditable fifth place, four tenths off pole, and is not ruling out a challenge for the podium.
DANI PEDROSA (2nd, 2’06”214): “Today was much better than yesterday because the track conditions improved and it made a big difference. Two dry sessions allowed us to improve certain parts of the bike and now we just need to choose the tyre. I hope the race takes place in the same conditions tomorrow because if it rains it will be a lottery. Pole position was not our objective but it is important to be on the front row because the first section of the track is quite tricky, a bit narrow, and it will be important to get a good start and stay out of trouble.”
HIROSHI AOYAMA (5th, 2’06”615): “I missed out on a front row start right at the end of the session because two riders got in my way when I was on a fast lap. Despite that I’m looking forward to the race – fifth place is a good starting position and even though this is a strange circuit my feeling has improved in every session. I think that Dani will get away and it will be difficult to follow his pace, but I will give my maximum to make the most of the opportunity we have here.”
LAP TIMES
- Casey Stoner (Aus/Aprilia) 2’06”196
- Dani Pedrosa (Esp/Honda) 2’06”214
- Andrea Dovizioso (Ita/Honda) 2’06”473
- Jorge Lorenzo (Esp/Honda) 2’06”544
- Hiroshi Aoyama (Jap/Honda) 2’07”437)