Bautista and Gresini expecting good race result despite difficult qualifying

Mixed conditions again threatened to spoil the MotoGP action at Jerez today but in the end the rain stayed clear long enough for a dry qualifying practice. Alvaro Bautista’s day didn’t start out in the best possible fashion with a crash in the wet final free practice this morning but the Spaniard recovered his confidence to qualify eighth fastest in the afternoon.

Alvaro Bautista (8th 1’ 41” 447) “Today was another difficult day. This morning we worked on solving our issues from yesterday but only made slight improvements. Then when we were trying a new setting the bike was vibrating a lot into the first turn and I lost the front and crashed. We were able to use the slick tyre this afternoon even though there were still some damp patches out there with the threat of more rain. After my crash this morning I didn’t want to risk more than necessary so a third row start isn’t bad and if we get a good start we can be fighting for a good result. ”

Fausto Gresini “To be honest we expected better today, especially from Alvaro, but we haven’t been able to solve our problems from yesterday. The crash didn’t help matters but I am still confident for the race because Alvaro always finds a little extra and I am expecting a good result from him.”

Source: Gresini Racing