Konica Minolta's First Set Of Practices Ended Up In Portugal

A typical summer day welcomed the riders on first day of the sixteenth round of the season. The riders could complete the first two hours practice with perfect track conditions. In the afternoon, in fact, the fastest have already been able to be less than one second close to the times set in qualifying last year. Makoto Tamada ended 15th with the fastest time of 1’40.214”.

Makoto Tamada – Konica Minolta Honda Rider (15° - 1’40.214”)

“Today I have been slowed down by persistent rear instability of my Honda RC211V. We tried to work on the rear tyre and suspension without finding a solution. In the end, I think it is due to the way the tires I used on this track work. Tomorrow, I hope to make a decisive step ahead using new adjustments and different tires.”

Giulio Bernardelle – Konica Minolta Honda Technical Director

“We are working to find the best set up permitting Makoto to obtain the necessary faith in the acceleration phases. On this track, medium-low speed accelerations are faced many times and on those phases Makoto complaints about a machine back instability. The track conditions are getting better and better with the many practices getting underway here and this should facilitate our job of tomorrow.”

Portugal GP, Day 1 Free practice Classification

1) C. Stoner Honda 1’38.218”
2) N. Hayden Honda 1’38.268”
3) K. Roberts Jr KR211V1’38.337”
4) C. Checa Yamaha 1’38.503”
5) D. Pedrosa Honda 1’38.586”
15) M. Tamada Honda 1’40.214”

Related Links
www.konicaminolta.com/motogp

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