Valencia : Konica Minolta Honda - Day TwoThe last 2006 qualifying session finished this afternoon at Valencia circuit with huge crowd already filling the grandstands.
The weather conditions were even better than yesterday and the track surface temperature reached
35°C.
In the first part of the practice session, with a race bike setting, Makoto Tamada showed that he could aim to race the GP among the first ten riders.
Unfortunately, his position definitely got worst with the qualifiers and the KONICA MINOLTA Honda Team racer finished 15th with the fastest lap of 1'32.467. The Japanese rider will be forced to attempt a difficult recovery to aspire to a good result in tomorrow's Grand Prix.
Gianluca Montiron KONICA MINOLTA Honda General Director
The results of the race simulation we made are quite satisfying and the race pace could allow Makoto to stay in the leading group. We faced the same problem with qualifiers. Makoto's performances with qualifying tires were under our expectations. This will unable him to start from a favourable position on the grid, therefore today's qualifying practice result will influence the first phases of the race.
Makoto Tamada KONICA MINOLTA Honda Rider (15° - 1'32.
467")
I made a long series of laps with a race bike setting and I have to say that, with these conditions, the set up I'll have at my disposal tomorrow is really satisfying. When using qualifiers, instead, the feeling with the bike changed completely and, as many times throughout the season, I was not able to make the best use of the grip I had. The bike handling becomes harder in cornering entry.
Konica Minolta Honda
