“We're still some way off the front”The Grand Prix of Spain came to life today as grid positions were decided in a thrilling qualifying shootout that saw Team San Carlo Honda Gresini riders Shinya Nakano and Alex De Angelis end up eleventh and fourteenth respectively.
Alex
was quick from the start but suffered a crash shortly before the end of the afternoon session. Shinya's day was relatively trouble free as he gradually improved his feeling with the RC212V before obtaining a satisfactory starting position.
Alex de Angelis (14th 1.40.037):
“I'm really disappointed to have crashed on the last lap of qualifying. I was improving on my best time and would have definitely moved up the grid for a Grand Prix where the starting position is really important. We have to study the data and find out why the front is sliding, even though the general feeling is good. We have to look at the cycle part and find out the problem.”
Shinya Nakano (11th 1.39.559):
“The feeling with the bike improved a lot in qualifying and in morning practice compared to yesterday and that allowed me to push hard from the start.
I'm satisfied because we knew it was going to be tough to get on the third or fourth row but with the fourth qualifying tyre I pushed hard and managed to seal eleventh place. I know we're still some way off the front but I know I can at least run with the second group and that's my objective tomorrow.”
Gresini Honda
