MotoGP news
'Something of a gamble' - Stoner
16 May 2009Casey Stoner was satisfied with his third position on the grid after Saturday's qualifying session in Le Mans. The Australian, currently second to reigning Champion Rossi in the standings, will be starting the French Grand Prix in determined mood to leap ahead of the two Spaniards in front of him.
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"This afternoon's session was always going to be something of a gamble because of the weather conditions," admitted the 2007 Champion, who won this year's season-opener in Qatar. "It was a similar situation to the one we had in Jerez, with everybody struggling to get enough time to set up the bike. We really needed to use the qualifying session to try to get a better setup, but still in the back of your mind you try to keep enough time for the session, to get a good qualifying position."
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| Stoner will be watching for Rossi's Yamaha, immediately behind him off the line |
Importantly, the Ducati rider starts ahead of rival Rossi as three manufacturers cover the first three grid places. "I'm a bit disappointed because I think we could have been a little bit faster," continued Casey, who complained of being held up behind Chris Vermeulen's Suzuki. "Anyway, I'm reasonably happy with my race pace; we've had a few issues with the bike that we've worked on well and it's important that we're on the front row.
"It's going to be a tough race tomorrow, whatever the conditions, but I feel a little bit more confident here than in Jerez - I hope to able to stick at the front a little bit better!"
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