Ducati duo Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden secure top ten slots for Catalunya GP – MotoGP news
Ducati team duo Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden were not fast enough but both managed a seat in the top ten slots at seventh and eighth respectively for the upcoming Gran Premi Aperol de Catalunya on Sunday, June 5, 2011.
The Ducati Team is hopeful of scoring some more points after Valentino Rossi finished third on the podium at the last French Grand Prix.
Ducati Team rider Valentino Rossi said, “This afternoon went a little better, although I can’t be happy with the third row. Crutchlow took the second row from us in the end, but it was my fault because if had ridden better on my final lap, I could have cut
a couple of tenths from my time, which would have put me in sixth.”
Rossi added that the team has improved the race settings of the Desmosedici GP11. The team is running new engines with many upgrades made by the factory engineers which they hope will challenge the top riders of the season.
The American rider in Ducati Team, Nicky Hayden was able to score an eighth place on the starting grid for the Catalan GP. The Texan also used the upgraded power unit for the qualifying session. This is his best qualifying performance for the 2011 season
to date while his best race finish is third in Jerez.
Ducati Team rider Nicky Hayden said, “I know eighth isn’t great, but it’s my best qualifying session of the year. At least we’re starting a little closer to the front, which is a good sign. The second row was right there in front of us—a real possibility
today.”
Hayden expects to be a tough race day on Sunday. He is optimistic about the improvements made and looks forward to catch up with the top fast riders after a good start. Let’s see how it turns out for him.
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