MotoGP News - Last Race Heroes Crowd The Front Grid Positions
04/11/2007
Bridgestone riders crowded the front three rows of the starting grid for tomorrow’s Valencia GP, last of the season, with qualifying times so close at the tight 4.005km circuit that the first 10 riders qualified within the same second.
Five of them were using Bridgestone tyres, led by new World Champion Casey Stoner (Ducati), in the middle of the front row.
Next up was Randy de Puniet (Kawasaki), leading the second row after challenging for pole. On the third row, John Hopkins (Suzuki) and Loris Capirossi (Ducati) flew the flag for Bridgestone.
Several of the riders were having their last rides on their current motorcycles. Stoner stays with Ducati for next year, but de Puniet is switching to Honda, Hopkins is taking his place at Kawasaki, and Capirossi is taking over from Hopkins at Suzuki.
“I was hoping for a front row for my last race with Kawasaki, but still my position is pretty good because it is very difficult to overtake here,” said De Puniet.
Hopkins had similar thoughts. “I feel really good, and I plan to end my Suzuki career on a high. I’m going for that podium,” he said.
Stoner was hoping for an 11th win this year, to equal the best season score set by his season’s rival Valentino Rossi, who is a doubtful starter tomorrow after injuring his hand. The most race wins in a season is 12, a future target for the 22-year-old Australian.