Differing fortunes for Gresini pair on day one

Fausto Gresini is demanding a good performance at his home event from Alex de Angelis and Toni Elías this weekend and spirits in the San Carlo Honda Gresini camp were good on Friday, even if Elías has some catching up to do with his less experienced team-mate.

Alex de Angelis - 6th

“Today was a big improvement to be honest. We’ve been fighting all season with the same problem, which is rear traction, and here you have fast, flowing corners that don’t put the same demands on the bike as a stop-and-go track like Le Mans. Also our engine is really strong and that is a vital ingredient here at Mugello. We had a good base setting for the bike here from last year and it has worked well today but we still have lots of work to do tomorrow. Hopefully it will stay dry and give us the chance to fight for a good position on the grid although to be honest I won’t be too worried if it rains either.”

Toni Elias - 12th

“The arm is much better this week and up until the final quarter of an hour things were going well – better than in previous weeks. On my final run I ran into a lot traffic and just at the moment when I would have really improved my times I was unable to get a single clean lap in. I’m pretty sure I could have done a low 1’51 or high 1’50 so I’m annoyed about that. Anyway, I’m happy with the setting we have found and pleased with the way we’ve started this Grand Prix so I am looking forward to seeing what tomorrow brings.”