MotoGP – QP1 Rio, Max Biaggi is not satisfied, Tamada on the front row

Makoto Tamada brings his yellow Camel Honda team RC211V to the provisional front row of the starting grid thanks to the second best time recorded in today's practice. In addition to having a good feeling with the Rio track, last year he climbed to the third step of the podium, today Makoto was also very effective in the final phase of the session, setting an excellent lap time. Seventh in this first day of testing was Max Biaggi who was unable to set an ideal lap time but showed he had a good pace for the race.

Pons site – Camel Honda (Team Principal)
“We haven't been able to make the most of the tires for some time but we will have tomorrow to improve. However, Max showed good pace on race tyres, one of the best. For now I am therefore confident for Sunday's race even if we will work to improve the fastest lap to allow Max to move further forward on the starting grid. Already from the first day of testing we lapped 4 tenths faster than last year, so tomorrow we will work to increase performance. Makoto set a good time and I believe she will be able to confirm the excellent result shown here last year”.

Max Biaggi – Camel Honda (Michelin tyres) – 7nd – 1'49.714
“Today I'm not very satisfied, because although the race pace isn't bad, in terms of overall performance, obviously very important for the starting grid, we're still behind and, honestly, I don't like this. When we mounted the tire we didn't improve enough compared to the others for some time and being in seventh place disappoints me a bit. The problems that are slowing us down at the moment are those that we have been carrying with us for a few races, although it is true that they are felt more on the flying lap than on the race pace."

Gianluca Montiron – Camel Honda – (Makoto Tamada Team Manager)
“Makoto and the team did a good job and, for being the first day of testing, we can be satisfied with the settings found and the bike/tyre combination. We need to improve the pace for the race and tomorrow's tests will be important to achieve this objective. Here last year Makoto did very well and our task will be to put him in the best conditions for the race.

Makoto Tamada – Camel Honda (Bridgestone Tyres) – 2nd 1'49.297
“Very good bike - tire combination in this first timed practice session. I have to improve the pace for the race, the pace has to be faster if I want to be at the front like last year. We therefore still have a lot of work to do to be completely satisfied. We will try to optimize today's settings, without major changes, then the final tire choice"

Camel Honda