2006 Australian Superbike Championship (YMF Loan) - Round Four - Queensland Raceway

Fortuna Honda Day 1 Report

FORTUNA HONDA riders Marco Melandri and Toni Elías concluded their first day of practice at Laguna Seca in fourth and eighth place respectively today. Marco arrived in the United States in confident mood and after a very positive first contact he lapped just 0.364 off the best time of the day, set by Kenny Roberts Jr. Nicky Hayden and Dani Pedrosa were the next two names on the provisional time sheets. Toni Elias, who is still recovering from his injuries and has little experience of this track, ended up in a creditable eighth place, just 0.635 off the pace set by Roberts.

MARCO MELANDRI (4th, 1’24”223, 31 laps):
“We’ve done a good job with the whole team. The bike is working really well and I’ve got a good feeling with it. We’ve changed a few small things and I have completed some tyre testing today. We still have to improve my pace but in general I’m quite happy. I like the track so much I’ve even redesigned my helmet for the occasion!”

TONI ELIAS (8th, 1’26”497, 26 laps):
“I’m quite satisfied. The bike has adapted perfectly and I was able to drop my lap time from the morning by two tenths. If you take into account my physical condition I think this is a good result. The team has done a good job and we are on the right lines. My feeling with the rear has improved about 50% and we still have room to improve.”