Mid-grid performance for dAntin riders in Qatar

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2007-02-13 Mid-grid performance for dAntin riders in Qatar
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Alex Barros shows average performace in Qatar

After a powerful performance shown two weeks ago at Phillip Island, the PRAMAC D’ANTIN MotoGP Team start in very good form the first day of the official test on the Losail Circuit, Qatar. The new three days of testing, which take place on February 13th 14th and 15th, represents the first pre-season event in which participate all the 21 MotoGP riders.

Alex Barros and Alex Hofmann continue to develop positively the GP7 equipped with Bridgestone tires having in mind the objective to be at the best in the first race that will take place the 10th March just at the Losail Circuit.

Alex Barros (1’57.690 – 50 laps):
I am quite satisfied of this first test day. I continued my adaptation to the Ducati GP7 800cc machine working on the base setting which will allow me to be faster and consistent in the next two days of testing. We have to improve hence tomorrow we will continue the work on the chassis further to the test several Bridgestone tires. I am sure we will be better tomorrow.

Alex Hofmann (1’57.800 – 55 laps):
Good first day of testing. We worked a lot so we found the right setting of the GP7 which will allow me to work well tomorrow on the tires, especially on the rear. We will have many options to test and I am sure we will improve a lot. Today I clocked my best laptime alone on the track. I was constant on the pace and this is the most important thing for me. I am not satisfied about the gap but I have to say that ten riders are very close, all in less of a second.

Fabiano Sterlacchini – Track Engineer of Alex Barros:
We are still trying to find the set-up that make the GP7 more faster and easy to ride. Today we made modifications on the chassis but i am sure we can improve a lot. Tomorrow we will work in this direction trying further solutions, then we will focus on the test of Bridgestone tires.

Emanuele Martinelli – Track Engineer of Alex Hofmann:
We have already found a good setting which is not very far from the one in Sepang and Phillip Island. It means that we are working in the right direction. The data gathered in the last tests were very useful for our work. I am confident for tomorrow.

Unofficial Lap Times - day 1 - Qatar:

1. Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha 1’56.774
2. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha 1’56.891
3. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati 1’56.960
4. Kenny Roberts (USA) Team KR 1’57.064
5. Nicky Hayden (USA) Honda 1’57.070
6. John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki 1’57.350
7. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati 1’57.360
8. Carlos Checa (SPA) Honda 1’57.370
9. Alex Barros (BRA) Ducati 1’57.690
10. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Honda 1’57.700
11. Randy de Puniet (FRA) Kawasaki 1’57.730
12. Marco Melandri (ITA) Honda 1’57.760
13. Alex Hoffman (GER) Ducati 1’57.800
14. Shinya Nakano (JPN) Honda 1’57.850
15. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Suzuki 1’57.900
16. Makoto Tamada (JPN) Yamaha 1’58.408
17. Olivier Jacque (FRA) Kawasaki 1’58.740
18. Toni Elias (SPA) Honda 1’59.400
19. Sylvain Guintoli (FRA) Yamaha 1’59.700
20. Shinichi Ito (JPN) Bridgestone Test 1’59.966
21. Andrew Pitt (AUS) Ilmor 2’01.667
22. Jeremy McWilliams (IRE) 2’10.341

Qatar Lap Record (990cc): Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 2006 – 1’57.305
Qatar Best Lap (990cc): Casey Stoner (Honda) 2006 – 1’55.683

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