Schrotter eyes top ten, Webb fights back

Mahindra rider Marcel Schrötter turned a strong free practice performance into a fifth-row grid position at Misano today, qualifying 15th out of 34 starters on a bike that he is confident will give him a chance of breaking into the top ten in tomorrow’s race. Team-mate Danny Webb was 19th in an ultra-close batch of times, overcoming a left hand injury that ruled him out of last weekend’s Indianapolis GP, and gaining speed every session. He will start two rows behind Marcel for the race, over 23 laps of the 4.226-km Misano Adriatico circuit close to the seaside resorts of the Rimini coast.

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Schrötter (18, from Germany) had good reason to be optimistic, after he and the team – the only one to build its own engine and chassis – found a lap-time improvement of more than eight tenths of a second overnight.Webb (20, from England) had also shaved a similar margin off his best time of yesterday, but was frustrated not to be higher up the grid, to avoid the need to battle his way through in the early laps. All the same, he has a strong chance of adding to his points tally. Tomorrow’s race, the 12th of 17 in the final 125cc World Championship year, should be seen in front of huge crowds, in the heartland of Valentino Rossi and his many Italian racing cohorts.

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MARCEL SCHRÖTTER – 15th Position, 1’45.034

Not so bad to be in the top 15, and we have a chance to get into the top ten, if I can get a good start and get with a fast group. The first three laps will be very important. Qualifying was physically hard: it’s very hot and humid, and it’s difficult to stay concentrated. We had a good session this morning, and in the end we could improve again. We had a little chattering at the rear, but I think we can fix it.

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DANNY WEBB – 19th position, 1’45.524

It was better than this morning, but not ideal for me. There are some little things that I can’t seem to get perfect with the setup. The type of corners doesn’t help: tight bends followed by a straight ... so I can’t roll through fast and keep the speed up. We’re close, but not where I want to be. My hand isn’t a problem when I’m riding, at least not so far. I’ll give it everything I’ve got.