On 250cc day one in Jerez
The Fortuna Aprilia team started the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez in the best possible style by achieving a superb double.

Hector Barbera and Jorge Lorenzo claimed first and second position respectively on the provisional grid and the pair – who were separated by just 23 thousands of a second – were nearly half a second clear of the field.

Both riders had been amongst the leaders in the morning`s free session which took place in slippery conditions due to some rainfall overnight. In the afternoon, in the official qualifying session, the dominance of Hector and Jorge was total, demonstrating that they are two of the leading candidates for the quarter-litre title.

Hector Barbera (Time: 1`44.561, 21 laps): “I think my provisional pole position was a surprise for nearly everyone, except for me. 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. If I do that, people will have to start taking notice of me, although it`s always easier to ride without pressure rather than with the obligation of having to win like the others. Technically we are at a high level, we had two sessions without any problems and ended up in first. Tomorrow I hope to stay in pole and prepare for the race without any difficulties.”

Jorge Lorenzo (Time: 1`44.584, 19 laps) : “I was not very smooth today.
We used ‘identical` as the ones from the IRTA test, but we could not manage the same times. I did not feel at ease and the times just wouldn`t come. Conditions in the free session – which were slippery as the track wasn`t dry – prevented me from getting my confidence. I wasn`t going 100 percent at any point, but I`m not worried as I know I can be much more competitive and have plenty more to come. A rider`s frame of mind is fundamental to his performance and today I didn`t perform as I wanted.”

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