The German weather forecasters could have just relied on a photocopy of yesterday's reading at Sachsenring this afternoon as another afternoon downpour ruined any hopes of dry track time for the MotoGP teams and riders. Alvaro Bautista already knew he would be starting from the back of the grid before this afternoon's session, as a penalty for his part in the first corner accident at Assen a week ago, so his only focus was to find a good wet setting for tomorrow's race in case of similar conditions. Michele Pirro escaped unhurt from his first big crash of the season although he struggled to rediscover his confidence when he returned to the track, having set the fastest time in mixed conditions during this morning's final free practice.
Alvaro Bautista ( 11th 1’ 34” 088 ) “There was no point trying to set a fast lap this afternoon so we just focused on our wet set-up. The track conditions were really tricky, especially in the middle two sectors, and I didn't have a good feeling with the bike. Hopefully we get a dry warm-up in the morning so that we can prepare for the race. If it's wet we'll have to try something to improve my confidence with the bike. I'll start from the back of the grid so I'll just have to stay calm at the start and try to recover positions throughout the race to finish as high as we can. Right now it is impossible to make any predictions.”
Michele Pirro (17th 1’ 35” 595) “The rain ruined our plans today and I crashed after just three laps. I just hit a part of the track where there was a lot of standing water, the bike aquaplaned and I lost control so it was a heavy crash. I went back out but I struggled to get my pace together again so that is disappointing and I am sorry for the guys in the team because without the crash I am sure we could have done much better. We'll try to make up for it tomorrow and if it doesn't rain we'll have a much better chance.”
Fausto Gresini “Another rain affected session although that mattered little to Alvaro because his grid position was already decided by the sanction so he just focused on finding a good setting for the conditions. It was a shame for Michele because the crash was a setback in terms of his programme but also because he lost feeling and confidence. It was his first big crash this season but I am still confident for tomorrow because he and the bike have been making great progress in recent weeks.”
Honda Gresini Press Release
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