Newsgroup: it.sport
Titolo: Dorna NEWS - Repsol

Italian GP - First Qualifying Practice
MICHAEL DOOHAN 1st 1'53.922 
"We are still working on the set-up of the machine but obviously it is far from right. The aim is to make the 
ride as smooth as possible through the suspension. We have two bikes set-up with different front suspension 
and we are trying to work out which is the best. Today the times on both bikes were similar. Because they have 
different characteristics we don't want to get our backs in the corner by assuming that what works on one will 
also work on the other. We will settle for what is the most workable machine."
ALEX CRIVILLE 4th 1'54.565
Alex Criville, the number 4 Repsol-Honda rider lost his long lasting second best register time at the last 
three minutes of the practice; "no, I'm not deceived. I'm on front line and tomorrow there is still time to 
improve. It's only two tenth of a difference. It's a tiresome circuit for a rider's as there are many chicanes 
and changes of direction. But I feel physically well and fit, but again there is not major news on my Honda as 
long as I don't loose contact with the front riders, all the rest is progressing. Doctor Costa was here during 
the afternoon only to take a look at my hand and fortunately there is no problem and neither from the Jerez 
crash."
TADAYUKI OKADA 6th 1'54.939
"Considering it is a high speed circuit, we are quite happy. We are progressing on the Michelin tyre 
development for the NSR 500V. The Showa front suspension has improved since the last race when we had some 
problems. Today we used race tyres for the set-up and tomorrow we will try to improve the grid position. I 
don't like to admit that I don't feel 100% well physically because it sounds as an excuse, but it seems I 
caught a virus and felt weak during this first qualifying practice."
SHINICHI ITOH 12th 1'56.072
"Although we have made many changes today the suspension settings are still a problem. We intend to make some 
more tomorrow and I feel confident that we will get the problem sorted out for the race. I think that in the 
corners, the two cylinder Repsol-Honda is better than the four, but because I have not been able to take 
advantage of this so far."
-- 
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Italian GP - Second Qualifying Practice
Fifth round and fifth pole position for the REPSOL - HONDA
Michael Doohan 1st 1'53.260
"I like this track and the Honda performs well here, the motor, the chassis are all good for this place. Also 
the new Showa forks we used today seem to have helped with the aim of getting as smooth a ride as possible. 
The package has been working quite well here all the time. This afternoon we ran both bikes we set for the 
weekend and after deciding which was the best of the two I concentrated on that for most of the session this 
afternoon. I did give the other one a try but it was not so enjoyable.... It's going to be a close race. Daryl 
Beattie is going hard and has progressed in each session and become more consistent. Loris Capirossi and Alex 
Criville are both going well and must be rated as challengers for victory. We'll just have to see what happens 
when the green light goes on."
Alex Criville 5th 1'53.939
" We are still finishing the suspension set-up. The circuit track is very dumpy, but this is a problem all 
riders will have. At this Italian circuit it is very important to have a good setting to go through the fast 
chicanes as quick as we possibly can.
Tomorrow morning, in the warm-up session we will try more suspension and tyres combines. I'm fifth and on 
second grid line but only six tenth of a second behind Mick Doohan. It's a long circuit which actually gives 
me a lot of hope to fight. I ran between second, third lap time position during many laps so I am looking 
forward for tomorrow's race." 
Shinichi Itoh 13th 1'54.812
"Although the bike was getting better today we still have the same suspension problem that we had yesterday. 
Mostly it affects the handling of the machine in the middle of the corners but we have not given up and will 
try yet another setting for the suspension during the warm-up. We are left with a choice of three tyres and 
will make the final selection during the warm-up.
We have not had any troubles at all with the twin cylinder engine."
Mr Kurosawa, Team Manager
"Tadayuki Okada, our Repsol-Honda 500V rider arrived here and soon after got a cold. Yesterday he tried hard 
but it was obvious he was not feeling strong and fit. Today he should relax and rest and the Team will decide 
tomorrow if he is in conditions to race."
"The last Spanish race and now the Italian race, our riders did very good practice times as they had even more 
motivation because it was their Sponsors homeland. Today it is Benettons turn to share with us the good work, 
which makes me very happy again."
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