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SBK, Melandri: I'll battle for the podium, but with a different finale than at Chang

Davies has a bitter taste in his mouth after an uphill Friday: "I am still not at ease on the Panigale" 

SBK: Melandri: I'll battle for the podium, but with a different finale than at Chang

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Ducati clings to Marco Melandri for the Aragón weekend Friday. The rider from Ravenna was the best in the Borgo Panigale camp, breathing down the pipes of Rea’s Kawasaki in the afternoon. His facial expression beams massive confidence, but his mind is already focusing on tomorrow.

A second place that confirms your growth.

“I felt very good. Maybe the conditions this morning were more complicated because of the wind, but the Panigale proved to be fast. I improved my confidence in the afternoon, taking a step forward in terms of lap times, as well as in terms of confidence in the saddle.”

Unlike Rea, you did not do a long run.

Exactly. We did not do a race simulation, but we are well aware of what we need. I think that we can be competitive, although it will be important to focus on the race finale, especially where the tyres are concerned.”

In the first sector you are losing a few tenths.

“That is maybe the most complicated sector. We need to take a step forward in terms of speed.”

What do you expect for tomorrow?

“Saturday the wind could get more intense, but I am happy with our level. I hope to ride a good race and make a play for the podium, possibly with a different finale than the one in Thailand.”

On the other side of the garage, it was certainly not a simple day for Chaz Davies. His Ducati left him stranded just after FP1 began. Then, in the afternoon, the Aruba standard-bearer had to play catch-up.

“Unfortunately, we had a technical problem in the morning that made us lose the session. We were able to replace the engine in record time in the garage, but I had to play catch-up for the rest of the day.

What did you focus on in FP2?

“In the afternoon, I tried to find my rhythm and begin working on the setup. Unfortunately, we did not do a race simulation to see about tyre wear. To be honest, I still do not feel at ease.

In any case, you are close to the top.

“We were able to make up ground and the gap is not that big. We need to improve though, especially in direction changes and in mid-turn. We’ll try to use FP3 to get ready for the race as best as possible.”

Translated by Jonathan Blosser
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