Hector Barbera 3rd after a crashJorge Lorenzo took pole position at the first Grand Prix of the 2006 season at the Spanish circuit at Jerez de la Frontera.
It is the fifth pole of the Team Fortuna Aprilia rider`s career with the Mallorcan having claimed four last term. Lorenzo beat the time posted yesterday by team-mate Hector Barbera who suffered a fall in the second qualifying session and finished some six tenths behind the poleman.
Jorge and Hector took first and third positions for the Fortuna Aprilia team meaning both have every chance of fighting for victory in Sunday`s race. Both riders were given passionate support by the partisan home fans who will be hoping for a home winner tomorrow.
Jorge Lorenzo (Pole Position, 1`43.270, 20 laps) : "I was close to matching the times I did in the IRTA Test and that enable me to take my first pole of the season. It`s very important to make a good start, it gives confidence to the team and allows us to grow stronger through the year. For that reason I really went for it in the closing stages - with new tyres - to try and mark my territory early on. The team has done a great job during the winter and I believe we are ready to achieve the objectives we have set ourselves. However, the most important thing is the race and we must try to take our good form from qualifying into that. Hopefully I can reward the thousands of fans who are here in Jerez and all of those watching on television."
Hector Barbera (3rd, 1`43.
870, 18 laps) : "I couldn`t hold on to pole, but I will start on the front row which is a good result. I think I could have gone a bit faster, but the fall in the second session prevented that as I lost both time and my rhythm. I am confident because my race rhythm is high and I hope to be in the lead group. It is only the first race of the season and you can`t win the championship yet, but the factor of racing in Jerez in front of all the Spanish fans is an extra motivation to get on the podium and do as well as possible."
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