Things could become even more difficult if the weather forecasts prove to be correct and the rain finally arrives but for today at least the riders were able to enjoy good track conditions in both practice sessions and took the opportunity to seal excellent grid positions.

Both Movistar riders lapped inside the previous pole record here, set by Rossi last season with a time of 1’28”720. Sete Gibernau stopped the clock at 1’28”182 on his 28th lap – his latest and fastest of the session - whilst Melandri was just a tenth of a second slower than his team-mate.

Sete will start tomorrow’s race looking to finish off a positive weekend in the best possible fashion whilst Marco is targetting another podium finish to continue his best MotoGP season yet.

SETE GIBERNAU (2nd, 1’28”182): “Yesterday the rain robbed us of a lot of time but today we were able to enjoy two hours of good weather and we managed to make the most of it to work on the bike. The first step was to seal a place on the front row of the grid and that is what we did. The bike and my feeling have got gradually better and I’m hoping that the result we have been looking for finally arrives at this circuit and that this can be my best Grand Prix of the season.”

MARCO MELANDRI (3rd, 1’28”295): “It was important to get back on the front row after the race at Laguna Seca. We have solved the traction problems we had and we worked well with the tyres and suspension, which allowed me to set a good rhythm and a good fast lap, although I made a small mistake on my last lap. This is like a second home race of the season for me and I’m very highly motivated. I hope to get a good start, learn as much as I can from Valentino and Sete during the race and fight for another podium.”

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