The first day of action at the Monte Coralli circuit for the Grand Prix Citta di Faenza, the 10th round of 15 in the 2007 FIM MX1 Motocross World Championship has seen Team Suzuki's Steve Ramon set an impressive pace and securing third position despite sweltering 35 degree plus temperatures in Italy.
The venue, 15km east of Imola, presented a fast, hard-pack and mostly flat test for the protagonists of the MX1 series but Ramon was able to adapt to the conditions quickly on his works RM-Z450 and was among the fastest riders in the two free practice sessions. He switched his Pirelli rear tyre to use a compound suited to the bone-dry ground and for a stretch of Timed Practice held pole position before being nudged down to third.
"Everything has been going well all day so no complaints!" the former World champion said. "The track is tricky because some parts are really hard and it is not easy to get on the gas. I know it is not a straightforward job to prepare the track in these conditions. Third place is good for the start gate so we will see what happens tomorrow."
Kevin Strijbos was just over a second away in 11th place but struggled with a mysterious overheating problem that escalated in the near forty degree temperatures.
"The day started well and I felt good but then we had a small problem with the bike and it wasn't running that cleanly through some of the sections," the 21 year old Belgian said who also switched rear wheel rubber. "They had put some water on the track for qualifying and I took it easy for a few laps but then I had to change to my second machine and only had time near the end to make one fast attempt. I am not happy with 11th. The track is pretty easy, there are no real ruts or rough sections and we are all going the same speed. I hope we will be ok for tomorrow."
More good weather and even warmer conditions are predicted for tomorrow.
MX1 Timed Practice
- Jonathan Barragan (ESP, KTM), 1:43.838
- Sebastien Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:00.015
- Steve Ramon (BEL, Suzuki), +0:00.208
- Ken de Dycker (BEL, Honda), +0:00.306
- Mike Brown (USA, Honda), +0:00.506
- Alex Salvini (ITA, Yamaha), +0:00.698
- Joshua Coppins (NZL, Yamaha), +0:00.735
- Julien Bill (SUI, Honda), +0:00.797
- David Philippaerts (ITA, KTM), +0:00.965
- Manuel Priem (BEL, TM), +0:01.253
- Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), +0:01.386
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