An unfortunate mistake in the later stages of this afternoon’s qualifying session means that Fiat Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi will start tomorrow’s Australian Grand Prix from the outside of the fourth row. The new world champion ran off onto the grass approaching turn three and fell awkwardly when he hit the gravel trap, suffering slight whiplash and some damage to the muscles in his neck in the process. He will undergo some intensive physiotherapy this evening but should be fit to race tomorrow.
With sunny but cool temperatures replacing yesterday’s downpour, Rossi was sixth fastest this morning. This afternoon he was confident of making a play for the front row and had set the fastest sector one time yet with his second qualifying tyre when he ran wide onto the slightly-damp grass and was unable to bring his M1 back onto the track. He retu rned to the pits and, after being checked by the doctor, went out on his second bike but was a few seconds late crossing the line and unfortunately out of time for another flying lap.
With the championship title already under his belt, there is no pressure for the Italian tomorrow but he is nonetheless keen for a good result and will be hoping he is in good enough shape to attempt a charge through the field. His team-mate Jorge Lorenzo had a somewhat better session and will start second behind Casey Stoner, with Nicky Hayden rounding out the front row.
Valentino RossiPosition: 12th
Time: 1'30.014
Laps: 23
“I was pushing a lot with the qualifying tyre but unfortunately I went too wide at turn two and I came onto the grass on the exit. I thought I could take the bike back onto the track but, as soon as I touched the muddy grass I lost control and I couldn’t stop it. Then I bumped my head and neck pretty hard when I landed in the gravel. It’s a pity that I will have to start from 12th tomorrow, because this afternoon, with my Bridgestone race tyres, I had a very good pace. Now Dr. Costa and the Clinica Mobile staff will work to put me in good shape again – I am having treatment on my neck and then I will go immediately back to the hotel to rest until tomorrow. Tomorrow I am sure I will feel a lot better; we have good tyres and a good set-up so I will try to ride a good race!”
Davide Brivio - Team Manager “Everything was going very well until this happened! It wasn’t really a crash, Valentino just went a little bit off track, couldn’t come back on and then hit the gravel. It was a pity because we were looking quite strong and our pace this afternoon was good. Valentino has some pain in his neck and he is now having some treatment to make him more comfortable for the night. Tomorrow morning he will have more treatment to make sure he is in the best shape possible for the race, and then we will see!”
Ambient temperature: 18 degrees
Track temperature: 30 degrees
Humidity: 36%
Qualifying Times FRONT ROW 1. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro 1'28.665
2. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Fiat Yamaha Team 1'28.734
3. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda 1'28.756
SECOND ROW 4. Randy De Puniet (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP 1'28.808
5. James Toseland (GBR) Tech 3 Yamaha 1'29.031
6. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda 1'29.277
THIRD ROW 7. Colin Edwards (USA) Tech 3 Yamaha 1'29.513
8. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) JiR Team Scot MotoGP 1'29.558
9. Shinya Nakano (JPN) San Carlo Honda Gresini 1'29.710
FOURTH ROW 10. Alex De Angelis (RSM) San Carlo Honda Gresini 1'29.925
11. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1'29.942
12. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team 1'30.014 FIFTH ROW 13. Toni Elias (SPA) Alice Team 1'30.202
14. Sylvain Guintoli (FRA) Alice Team 1'30.297
15. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki 1'30.545
SIXTH ROW 16. John Hopkins (USA) Kawasaki Racing 1'31.157
17. Marco Melandri (ITA) Ducati Marlboro 1'31.939
18. Anthony West (AUS) Kawasaki Racing 1'31.995
Phillip Island: Record Lap: M. Melandri (Honda) 2005, 1'30.332
Best Lap: C. Stoner (Ducati) 2008, 1'28.665
