MotoGP – Sachsenring QP1 – First and second row for Gibernau and Melandri

Sete Gibernau will start tomorrow from the front row of the grid between two other Honda riders, Nicky Hayden and Alex Barros, with the determination to take his first victory of the season. Second best driver in every test session this weekend, Sete approached qualifying with confidence, lapping with excellent pace. The Movistar rider was the first to dip below 1'23”, setting his best time 20 minutes from the end of qualifying. In the last minutes of practice he was unable to make the most of the qualifying tires to further improve his fastest lap.

Marco Melandri suffered more than expected in his quest to set up the bike on a particular and atypical circuit like Sachsenring. Fifth place in qualifying brought his smile back and Marco is looking forward to tomorrow's race with confidence.

SETE GIBERNAU (2th, 1'22”889):
“We started this weekend on the right foot and I am very satisfied with the work done. Today we ran with a good race pace and I am confident that starting tomorrow we will be able to turn this complicated year around. In the last part of qualifying I had some problems that didn't allow me to go out again to improve my fastest lap. This left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth but I'm confident and satisfied because we have a good race pace.”

MARCO MELANDRI (5rd, 1'23”051):
“This morning we changed direction of work, making significant changes regarding the setting of the bike. I had a bit of difficulty adapting to the new configuration and preferred to proceed calmly. In the afternoon the feeling improved although there is still room for improvement. The second row gave me serenity again and I look forward to tomorrow with confidence. We will work to improve further in the warm up. Tomorrow the race will certainly be very demanding, it will be important to get a good start because on this track it is difficult to overtake. ”

Gresini Racing team