MotoGP Blog

Weather conditions dictated that the teams spend the first half of qualifying practice searching for a set-up to cope with the higher track temperature experienced on Saturday, peaking at around 37C (98F) compared to Thursday and Friday when temperatures were some 10 degrees lower.

This fiddling meant that Rossi and Stoner were largely absent from the top of the timing sheets in the early stages. In particular Rossi went through a couple of repetitions of putting in either one or two laps before returning to the pits to change bike, and immediately going out on the second bike - either scrubbing in tyres or trying different set-ups for the heat. Pedrosa was the one setting the pace early on, did the higher temperature suit his Michelins better than the Bridgestones?

Stoner’s efforts were concentrated on finding the right set-up for the final, fourth sector consisting of Garage Bleu and the double-apex Raccordement. In particular the Stoner Ducati looked to be upset by the bumps on and off of the kerbing at Raccordement. At the start of the session he was losing two or three tenths through this sinuous series of corners to Pedrosa, by the end, this would be different.

Lorenzo continued to scare and worry his crew while riding fast. He is obviously riding around his injuries, but the speed he is maintaining comes with risks, as evidenced by two off-track excursions during qualifying and a tumble on Friday from which he emerged unscathed. One trip off track at the fast right-hander of Coubre Dunlop (turn 1) saw him skating across the gravel trap, injured feet dangling, only to be launched into the air, bike and all, before landing in the middle of the Dunlop Chicane, barely in control.

Colin Edwards and Tech-3 again showed well throughout the session, and Edwards looking comfortable is really able to make the Yamaha sing around here, he maintained his position at the sharp end from early on and his smooth riding style is suiting both the bike and the track. Chris Vermeulen looked to be enjoying his riding again and has been consistently fast through the weekend.

After 30 minutes the order was Pedrosa (M); Edwards (M), Rossi (B), de Puniet (suspected M qualifier used), Vermeulen (B) and Stoner (B). Advantage Michelin.

In the second half of the session, qualifiers became prevalent, and times began to tumble. Mid-to high 1:33’s for Rossi, Lorenzo, Vermeulen and Pedrosa upped the pace. These times were destroyed by Colin Edwards, sticking in a 1:33.0 on his first qualifier, a full 0.6 secs faster than anyone else at that point.

In final fifteen minutes, things became hectic as always. Rossi, Vermeulen and Toseland all trying for the Edwards time before the man himself came back with a 1:32.7. Stoner at this point was still trying to find his race set-up and the Ducati, still on race tyres, was noticeably calmer and less frantic than earlier in the session. Ten minutes to go and Stoner with his new set-up a set of qualifiers hit a 1:33.1. Pedrosa puts in a 1:33.0, still three tenths off of Edwards.

Lorenzo now had his second off-track excursion onto a section of the 24Hr circuit, and was looking tired by this stage. He had to execute a U-turn by getting off the bike and hauling it backwards, causing everyone watching to wince at the obvious pain this was causing him.

With just a couple of minutes to go Stoner on his second set of qualifiers went through the third sector just 0.009 secs behind the stunning Edwards time. He subsequently lost a further two tenths in the final sector, a testament to the agility of the Yamaha/Edwards combination.

Edwards was again on a hot lap with just seconds to spare when he was baulked by riders cruising around to practice starts. Pedrosa had no such trouble, managing a 1:32.647 for pole.

In the post-session press conference, Stoner sounded upbeat and confident in the bike, explaining the final sector issues which they think they have now found a solution for. Colin Edwards’ big grin said it all for him, and Pedrosa was as business-like and unemotional as always, proclaiming a need to continue to work on the settings.

Those in trouble include the satellite Ducatis of Elias and Guintoli, 2 and 4 seconds off the pace respectively. The hope from China that Melandri had of turning around his season has evaporated here, with the Italian struggling with braking while turning in, a very necessary part of negotiating this track.

Most worried has to be Ant West. A further three tenths down on Melandri and struggling to find rear grip, his greatest concern this weekend must be his team manager Michael Bartholemy expressing his full support for the Aussie, a possible pre-cursor to the withdrawal of that support.

Front row:
Pedrosa, Edwards, Stoner.

Second row:
Rossi, Lorenzo, Hayden.

Third row:
Toseland, Vermeulen, Hopkins.

Fourth row:
Dovizioso, Capirossi, de Puniet.

Fifth row:
Nakano, Elias, de Angelis.

Sixth row:
Guintoli, Melandri, West.