Simoncelli on front row down under

australia phillip island qp gresini simoncelli aoyama

Saturday, 15 October 2011

Team San Carlo Honda Gresini rider Marco Simoncelli will start from the front row for the first time in seven races tomorrow after setting the third fastest time on a cool and windy day at Phillip Island.

'Super Sic' will challenge Casey Stoner and Jorge Lorenzo for victory tomorrow at his favourite circuit, despite suffering his third crash in as many sessions at turn ten this morning. Hiroshi Aoyama's session was cut short by a crash this afternoon, limiting him to twelfth place on the grid.

Marco Simoncelli:
I am really happy because it has been a while since we started on the front row. We have been fast over the past two days although we have had a few crashes too. The day didn't start well because of the conditions, which were cold and windy, and that made it difficult. This afternoon we managed to do a better job and enjoyed an excellent qualifying session so my goal tomorrow is to push to the maximum from the start. Stoner looks untouchable at the moment but in racing you can never say never!”

Hiroshi Aoyama:
”Unfortunately when I went out to improve my position on the starting grid I crashed at turn six and that compromised the whole session. It was a violent impact and I decided not to go back out because I didn't feel in the best shape. The cold and wind did not help us to work as we wanted today but even though I had more confidence yesterday the set-up is not bad. I hope the weather improves tomorrow so that I can have a good Grand Prix.”