Barcelona, 12 June: The opening day of free practice for Sunday’s Catalunya Grand Prix was conducted in perfect summer weather today with ambience temperature of 34°C, with LCR Honda MotoGP racer Randy De Puniet in a sparkling form setting the 5th fastest time. Randy circulated the Spanish circuit 25 times throughout the 60-minute free session clocking his fastest lap time on 1’43.871 less than nine tenths off the quickest lap of the day.

The Frenchman riding the Honda RC212V no. 14 worked with his crew to adjust his machinery in the dry setting consistent lap times on race set-up showing his potential around the 4.727 km Catalan track where he already experienced the victory in 250cc class with LCR Team.Today’s frontrunner Rossi set a 1’43.038 fastest lap time.

De Puniet – 5th: “I am very satisfied about the first run out. From the beginning I was up there making my life easier. I could concentrate on the bike set up trying different front rims sizes and the harder compounds from Bridgestone: it seems to be better for me. The engine is working well and lapped consistently fast throughout the whole session. We are behind the “aliens” and this makes us very pleased but I believe we could adjust the engine