After rain wiped out the first qualifying session for the 250cc class yesterday, things returned to normal today.
Daniel Pedrosa was unstoppable in the dry conditions and took his second pole position of the season, following on from his previous effort at Jerez. His performance confirms that Le Mans is a talisman circuit for the double World Champion, at least so far. Pedrosa has stepped onto the podium for the last three seasons here, including two successive victories in the 125cc and 250cc classes, as well as the pole and circuit record last season.
Hiroshi Aoyama will have to look for solutions in the warm-up after only managing tenth on the grid. The Japanese rider is hoping for a good start in the race and hopes to follow the lead group. The biggest unknown about tomorrow remains the weather, although the two Movistar riders are confident that they will also be in the fight for the podium in the rain.
DANI PEDROSA (1st, 1’37”391): “This afternoon on the dry track we did a great job in the box and out on the track. We used slick tyres and found various solutions with the set-up. The bike is working well, I feel comfortable, we’ve got a good configuration if the race is dry and we have already chosen which tyres we will use. We’ll have to wait and see what the weather is like tomorrow morning, but I’m hopeful of a good race whether it rains or not”.
HIROSHI AOYAMA (10th, 1’38”729): “At the start of the afternoon session I didn’t feel too good on the bike but I was able to follow another rider and that helped me to improve my time, find a good line and improve my general feeling. We have to change a few small details in the warm-up tomorrow morning, but I usually improve in the race and if I get a good start I wouldn’t rule out another podium”.
LAP TIMES
- Dani Pedrosa (Esp/Honda) 1’37”391
- Casey Stoner (Aus/Aprilia) 1’37”880
- Jorge Lorenzo (Esp/Honda) 1’37”882
- Sebastián Porto (Arg/Aprilia) 1’38”123
- Andrea Dovizioso (Ita/Honda) 1’38”448
- Randy De Puniet (Fra/Aprilia) 1’38”554
- Alex De Angelis (RSM/Aprilia) 1’38”588
- Silvain Guintoli (Fra/Aprilia) 1’38”641
- Héctor Barberá (Esp/Honda) 1’38”707
- Hiroshi Aoyama (Jap/Honda) 1’38”729