Andrea Dovizioso was fourth fastest in qualifying for the Grand Prix of Japan, round 15 of the world championship that takes place on Sunday at Motegi’s Twin Ring circuit. The Ducati Team’s Italian rider notched up a best lap of 1’44.294, just missing out on the front row by a few tenths of a second. Hector Barbera, riding the Desmosedici GP normally used by Andrea Iannone, was classified in eighth place with a best lap of 1’44.980 and will start the Japanese round from the third row.
This morning both Ducati Team men put in a convincing performance in FP3, which ended with Dovizioso in third and Barbera fourth. Both went through directly into Q2, which was held immediately after the final thirty minute afternoon free practice session, which finished with Dovizioso in fourth and Barbera eighth.
Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team #04) – 1’44.294 (4th)
“I’m very happy with the lap time I set in qualifying: I did a really great lap and I’m also pleased with the job me and my team have been doing at this circuit. Fourth place is OK for me, because on this circuit it’s not much of a disadvantage to start from row 2. In
FP4 we always kept up a good pace, but we are all pretty close and we will only see in the race who has worked the best. Our speed over the lap is in line with the quickest guys and the only question mark regards the possibility of keeping up the same pace for 24 laps.”
Hector Barbera (Ducati Team #8) – 1’44.980 (8th)
“Today was a positive day and I felt much better than yesterday on the Desmosedici GP. I only need to put in a lot more mileage on the bike to get used to its characteristics. In FP4 we only worked with used tyres and I started to get to know the bike better: we made a big step forward, but in Q2 I was unable to put together a perfect lap. In any case I’m eighth on the grid and I start from the third row, but it’s a position from where you can do a good race. For tomorrow I think we can still improve the setup a bit and I’m sure I can also improve my feeling with the bike.”
