GP of JAPAN: AGAIN STRONG START
It came a bit surprisingly for Stefan Bradl to set tenth fastest lap time during Friday morning’s first practice session.
Likewise during the Aragon Grand Prix two weeks’ time ago, the German MotoGP rider startet strong again into this weekend’s round 15 of the World series. However, a low sider in the final minutes of the session hampered Bradl to improve his lap time further but this incident had no affects to the following FP2 in the afternoon, which was held too under bright skies and perfect conditions. During the second practice, Bradl and his crew were working to fine-tune the setting of the factory Aprilia RS-GP for the tricky layout of the Twin Ring Motegi but not all changes were a success.
#6 Stefan BRADL (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, Aprilia), FP1: 10. – 1´46.371 (16/16) / FP2: 17. – 1´46.649 (15/16):
“It was a good start into the weekend in general. But honestly speaking, tenth fastest during FP1 came a bit surprisingly for us. Unfortunate I crashed in the final minutes of the session; most probably, I was a bit too aggressive because until that point everything went well and smoothly. However, it doesn’t affect us in any way so we were able to continue our tasks in the afternoon. During FP2 we were working on the bike’s setting as well on the electronics. However, for the latter it didn’t work out as expected so this session definitely went opposite to our plans. Nevertheless, we were able to make progress in some areas such as for the breaking zone where we could improve the feeling on the brakes which is a very important aspect at this track. In any case, I had a good rhythm during both sessions, though in terms of electronic there is some work to do ahead of us. Although I was able to improve my lap time towards the end of FP2, I couldn’t match my time from this morning which is a bit annoying for me. But I’m pleased with the opening day here in Motegi in general.”
Combined Practie Times FP1/FP2:
1 Jorge LORENZO / SPA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / 1´44.731 (FP2)
2 Dani PEDROSA / SPA / Repsol Honda Team / Honda /1´44.859 +0.128 (FP2)
3 Andrea IANNONE / ITA / Ducati Team / Ducati / 1´45.043 +0.312 (FP2)
13 Stefan BRADL / GER / Aprilia Racing Team Gresini / Aprilia / 1´46.371 + 1.640 (FP1)