MotoGP 2005 Qualifying

Ducati Marlboro Team riders Carlos Checa and Loris Capirossi will start tomorrow's season-ending Valencia Grand Prix from the second and third rows of the grid after a typically thrilling qualifying session at this tight and twisting track. Both riders had major moments during the hour-long outing, Checa saving a highside at turn13, Capirossi staying on board after getting hugely sideways out of the final turn.

"It looked like we could have had one rider on the front row, the other on the second row, but it was a good qualifying session for us even though we lost that," said Ducati MotoGP project manager Livio Suppo. "Carlos rode a very impressive rhythm on race tyres, running low 33s for many laps, so he's ready to race. Loris is still struggling with his physical condition. Even so, he did a great job in qualifying, it was nice to see him in fighting mood again, unbelievable! We obviously have two very brave riders because Carlos was nearly thrown off his bike during the session, landing back on board and damaging a very tender part of the male anatomy! After a few minutes in the pits he went straight back out and improved his lap time! Our thanks to Bridgestone, the tyres are working really well here."

Carlos Checa led the first 40 minutes of this afternoon's session, lapping fast and consistently and ending up fourth quickest, just 0.157 seconds off the front row. The Ducati Marlboro Team man reckons he's more than ready for tomorrow's 30 lap race, despite a painful incident mid-session, when he was flicked off his Desmosedici through the mightily fast turn 13, slamming his groin on the fuel tank as he miraculously regained control.

"It was Saint Carlos' day yesterday, so I think he was close to me today, because you normally crash when that kind of thing happens," said Checa, managing a smile. "It was a big highside, I was flying like a bird, my hands the only part of me still holding onto the bike. I hit my "jewels" really hard and went white like a candle.

"Otherwise today was positive. Yesterday we had two limitations - tyre warm-up and endurance - but we today worked on the bike and tyres to find a good balance, especially on endurance. We have found the rear-end stability I was losing yesterday after some laps. The second row is fine, it's a very long race, I just want to get away from the start in the top five."

Loris Capirossi ended today seventh quickest, a mere 0.026 seconds off the second row, despite riding in some discomfort from the nasty chest injuries he sustained at Phillip Island just 22 days ago. The Ducati Marlboro Team man, who only returned to riding yesterday, had his big moment near the end of the session, when he ran wide and onto the grass exiting turn 14.

"I came out of the final turn too fast and too wide," explained Capirossi. "But I didn't shut off because I thought there was green tarmac beyond the kerb, as at turn one. But it wasn't tarmac, it was grass. Luckily I didn't close the gas, because although the bike flicked sideways it came back into line and I didn't fall.

"Overall, I'm pretty satisfied - I'm here and I'm not too slow. The race will be tough because my physical condition means that I'm making a few mistakes. Also, it's 30 laps around a narrow and twisty circuit that doesn't give you any room for a breather. And I hope the weather is warm because my injuries hurt more when it's cool. Anyway, today was better than yesterday, though I'm still trying to train my body for a different kind of effort compared to my gym training before this race. I have some protective padding over my right chest which makes my leathers extra tight, I wish I had an XXL suit!"

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