MotoGP Motegi, Qualifying: Marco Simoncelli “The fall compromised the session”

A fall during qualifying at Motegi penalized Marco Simoncelli. Once back on track the Team Gresini driver was unable to make the best use of his only remaining soft tyre. In the end he still got the second row with the sixth fastest time ahead of Valentino Rossi, who has the say.

“I was doing pretty well until the crash. Unfortunately I was pushing and at turn five I made a mistake on a pothole and slipped, compromising the second part of the session. I lost a bit of confidence when I returned to the track and was only able to use one soft tyre. Without this digression perhaps I could have aimed for the front row but in any case I'm happy because I have a good race pace and tomorrow I hope to fight for the podium."

However, his team-mate Hiroshi Aoyama is not satisfied as he hoped to do better than the eleventh time in his home race.
“The final position doesn't particularly satisfy me but the feeling with the bike is good and also the race pace so I'm confident for tomorrow. I'll try to start as best as possible in order to recover positions in the race. Maybe tomorrow the weather conditions will change and the asphalt temperature will certainly be colder so we will have to change the set up of the bike but we have clear ideas on this. I want to have a good race in my home Grand Prix and give a positive result to my fans.”