Ducati Marlboro Team rider Loris
Capirossi has started the Marlboro Malaysian Grand Prix the way he
means to carry on, setting a blazing pace to lead both of today's
practice sessions, run in typically steamy hot conditions. Following
his dominant victory in last month's Czech GP, Capirossi is aiming
to take another bite out the points leaders this weekend to put
himself right back in the hunt for the 2006 MotoGP crown.
Meanwhile team-mate Sete Gibernau is making an impressive comeback
following further surgery to the collarbone he broke in June's
Catalan GP. The Spaniard first returned to action at July's German
GP but the plate screwed to his broken left collarbone later
cracked, forcing him to undergo another operation which meant he had
to miss the Czech GP. He last rode a bike at the US GP on July 23.
LORIS CAPIROSSI, ‘provisional
pole', 2m 01.711s
"We started with one bike using a set-up based on what we used at
Brno, the other with a set-up similar to what we ran here during
winter tests. I preferred some characters of each, so we are working
to create the best combination. Halfway through the afternoon
session we did encounter some problems but my guys are working
really well, so we quickly found the right way again. We are working
well together and getting the results we deserve but we have to stay
united and focused because our target is to stay in front of the
others. Today I went faster than I managed on qualifiers last year
though partly because it's cooler now. I don't think it will be
possible to go much faster than today but we will keep working to
allow me to be more natural on the bike. Even though Friday results
aren't so important I want to dedicate today to my manager Carlo
Pernat who isn't here because of a family bereavement. He will be
here tomorrow which is great news because I miss having him with
me."
SETE GIBERNAU, 8th fastest, 2m
02.981s
"I'm quite happy with how things are going, though I'm not fully
physically fit yet. On the bike I get tired quite quickly because
I've not been riding for a long time but mentally I'm okay. I should
probably never have raced at Laguna but I was there and I wanted to
do my best. That weekend the plate over my collarbone was broken so
it was pinching every nerve and every muscle, so I couldn't use the
arm. The arm is still weak now, though only because I've not been
able to follow my usual training programme. The bone is much better.
It's going to take time, so for me to be close to the top guys on
the first day here gives a lot of credit to Ducati and to
Bridgestone who are doing a great job. The guys in the team are
helping me out a lot once again, so I want to thank Ducati for all
the support they've given me before I came here and now that I am
here. My congratulations also to Loris who is already really fast."
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