Jerez : Day One 250ccThe first day of action of the Gran Premio de Espana, first round of the 2006 World Championship, was highlighted by a fierce battle for provisional pole between Spaniards Barbera and Lorenzo.
Both Fortuna Aprilia riders fought hard in this first qualifying session, each of them wanting to assess his authority on the quarter- liter category. Barbera remained on top, with a fastest lap of 1`44``561, despite a late charge from Lorenzo.
"I think my provisional pole position was a surprise for nearly everyone, except for me, said Barbera. I believe in my chances and think I am capable of being up at the front even though my results last year left me in the second tier of riders. My objective is to enjoy myself on the bike and to try and go faster all the time.
No other rider could match the pace of the pair who opened a 0.5s gap. Repsol Honda rider Shuhei Aoyama came third ahead of Alex de Angelis, fastest in the morning. Former 125cc World Champion Andrea Dovizioso was fifth fastest. Both Kiefer Bos Racing Aprilia riders, Dirk Heidolf and Anthony West, made it to the provisional second row edging out Hiroshi Aoyama`s KTM.
Yuki Takahashi finished ninth fastest despite crashing in the last seconds of the session. The Japanese rider is followed by Baldolini, Smrz and Locatelli.
Italian rookie Marco Simoncelli could not repeat the good form he showed during the winter tests and came only thirteenth, 1.5s away from Barbera. It was also a difficult day for title contender Sebastian Porto, fifteenth fastest. Best 2005 privateer Sylvain Guintoli had to contend with seventeenth.
Turkish rider Sinan Sofuoglu didn`t qualify.
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