they’d already put laps on during the practice sessions and in doing so proved their race-distance durability and consistency.Mist delayed the start of practice by 25 minutes, although a dry line meant that Bridgestone’s wet tires were not necessary. Conditions were fine and dry again for qualifying, although the threat of rain is ever-present for tomorrow’s 22-lap race, posing what could be the first wet grand prix of the 2010 season.Tohru Ubukata (Manager, Bridgestone Motorcycle Tire Development Department) says: “This morning during free practice it was difficult to judge race tire choice because of the mixed conditions and the cooler track temperature, and because yesterday’s free practice was cut short by rain, all riders tried to check their race tire choice during qualifying. From the beginning all riders used the harder fronts which will be the favored choice for the race, but now with more dry track time we have been able to confirm the race-distance durability of the softer option rear tyre.”“The softer rear slick offers better edge grip in these conditions than the harder option, which is crucial in allowing riders to accelerate early out of corners to maximize their speed on the many uphill climbs. The latest forecast is still for rain tomorrow however, which always has the potential to turn the order upside down. If it is wet all day, the warm-up session will be very busy for the teams and riders as they try to optimize their wet-weather setup, especially as we have had so little wet running this season.”Top Ten Qualifying Positions, Brno MotoGP:
(Tires: All Riders on Extra Hard Front, Medium Rear)
1. (26) Dani PEDROSA, SPA, Repsol Honda 1’56.508
2 .(11) Ben SPIES, USA, Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1’56.846 0.338 / 0.338
3. (99) Jorge LORENZO, SPA, Fiat Yamaha 1’56.865 / 0.357 / 0.019
4. (27) Casey STONER, AUS, Ducati Team 1’56.868 / 0.360 / 0.003
5. (46) Valentino ROSSI, ITA, Fiat Yamaha 1’57.059 / 0.551 / 0.191
6. (4) Andrea DOVIZIOSO, ITA, Repsol Honda 1’57.117 / 0.609 / 0.058
7. (5) Colin EDWARDS, USA, Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1’57.222 / 0.714 / 0.105
8. (69) Nicky HAYDEN, USA, Ducati Team 1’57.635 / 1.127 / 0.413
9. (40) Hector BARBERA, SPA, Paginas Amarillas Aspar Ducati 1’57.960 / 1.452 / 0.325
10. (65) Loris CAPIROSSI, ITA, Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1’57.981 / 1.473 / 0.021