MotoGP news

Difficult first day for Melandri

The first day of the Grand Prix of Italy was hit by a torrential rainstorm at Mugello, causing an unwelcome setback for Honda Gresini's rider Marco Melandri, who was keen to get as much dry track time under his belts as possible.

Marco Melandri, who arrives at his home race on the back of an outstanding podium at Le Mans, worked hard on the cycle part of his machine to improve its performance in corner entry during the morning's dry free practice. That job was interrupted when the heavens opened just before the afternoon session. The Italian is hoping for dry conditions tomorrow so that he can finalise his preparations for his home Grand Prix.

Marco Melandri said: "It was a difficult first day. We really needed both sessions to be in the dry but the rain has set our programme back. This morning we made we tried a modified chassis and did some comparison test to try and improve the performance of the bike turning into the corners. In the afternoon the rain came and we weren't able to confirm that data so tomorrow we'll keep working on it."

more news

• 28 Jun.
  • Photos: Saturday at TT Circuit
  • Two in a row for Stoner
  • Podium and championship lead for Pedrosa
  • Stoner dominates at Assen
  • Stoner fastest in wet warm up
• 27 Jun.
  • Photos: Friday at TT Circuit
  • More confidence for Lorenzo
  • Rossi satisfied with front row
  • Broken ankle for Hopkins
  • Stoner grabs pole at Assen, broken ankle for Hopkins
  • Pedrosa fastest on Friday morning at wet Assen
  • Difficult start at Assen for Toseland
• 26 Jun.
  • Lorenzo lacking confidence at Assen
  • Capirossi unable to continue at Assen
  • Stoner: We've taken a huge step forward
  • Rossi still struggling a bit
  • Stoner dominates at Assen
  • Photos: Thursday at Assen
  • Stoner fastest in opening practice at Assen
• 24 Jun.
  • Stoner tries to keep momentum going
  • Capirossi to return at Dutch Grand Prix
  • Rossi looking forward to Assen
• 23 Jun.
  • Pedrosa eyes better result at Assen
• 22 Jun.
  • Stoner celebrates second win of season
  • Photos: Sunday at Donington Park
  • Brave ride nets Lorenzo sixth
  • Pedrosa reflective on podium finish
  • Rossi quite happy with second
  • Problems for both Gresini riders
  • Stoner wins British Grand Prix!
  • Stoner fastest in warm-up
• 21 Jun.
  • Another difficult day for Lorenzo
  • Front row for Rossi's 200th
  • Ducati celebrates second straight pole
  • Gresini hoped for more in qualifying
  • Photos: Saturday at Donington Park
  • Stoner dominates qualifying at Donington Park
  • Dovizioso fastest at wet Donington Park
• 20 Jun.
  • Positive practice for Repsol Honda
  • Tentative return for Lorenzo

Homepage