| MotoGP World Championship 2010. Grand Prix of Catalunya. 125 Qualifying Practice. |
GP Catalunya, 125: Bancaja Aspar amongst favourites for victory after qualifying at Montmeló
Bradley Smith and Nico Terol start from the front row with the pace to challenge for the win.
Montmelo (3rd July 2010).- Intense heat was again the prominent factor at Montmeló today as the 125cc riders, who were virtually on lap record pace this morning, struggled to cope with 52ºC track temperatures in the afternoon's qualifying practice. Marc Márquez again took pole, as he did at Assen a week ago, although the difference this time is that there were four serious contenders, with just half a second covering the front row and another half a second back to row two.
Bradley Smith and Nico Terol were two of those contenders, the British rider back on track this afternoon after a crash in the morning at turn six. It did nothing to put the teenager out of his stride, however, and on the fifth lap of qualifying he moved to the top of the timesheets. He made just two pit-stops to change tyres and on the penultimate lap of eighteen he clocked his best lap to seal third on the grid.
His team-mate Nico Terol made progress throughout the session but is still struggling in T4 and lost crucial tenths from his pole challenge. However, the Spaniard has the pace to run with the lead group tomorrow and fight for victory in his home race.
3rd Bradley Smith 1.51.019 (18 laps):
"After the crash tomorrow I started to wonder if we had the right setting but we went out this afternoon and my feeling was great straight away. The team did a fast and productive job and that gave me the mental strength I needed. We are close to the fastest time and I think we have the pace to run with the lead group from the start – especially if we can make the most of the slipstreams. The most important thing will be to be focused at the start. If I can get away well, unlike Assen, I don't think it will be too difficult to keep in touch so I'll be pushing hard over the first five or six laps. It will be a tough race because of the heat and I'm sure the Spaniards will be doing everything they can to win here but so will I."
4th Nico Terol 1.51.066 (16 laps):
"I felt even better than yesterday today and we have a good setting for the race. It was difficult to get the lap times down in qualifying because the intense heat made the tyres perform differently to what we are used to but I am happy because our pace has been consistent and progressive. All my main rivals are strong here but we're on the front row and that's important. We all want to win, we have a similar pace and I guess it will be between us four, unless somebody can get a slipstream. It is difficult to escape here so and we'll have to be alert at the end of the race when the tyres are finished because it's easy to make a mistake."
Source:
Bancaja Aspar Team