Mugello, 30 May: LCR Honda MotoGP rider Randy De Puniet was in good form today, finishing eight fastest in a very hot opening day of Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix. The first free session was conducted with track temperature of 45°C and the 28-year-old riding the Honda RC212V no. 14 completed 26 laps at the Italian 5.245 km circuit clocking his best lap time of 1’51.030.
After Le Mans bad week end, the LCR squad completed a productive day of race set-up in advance of Sunday’s 23 lap race working on engine mapping and chassis set up. The Frenchman set consistent and fast lap times throughout the 60-minute session testing different tyres setting his quickest time on lap 20 of 26. The air temperature rose up to 30°C and the premier class riders had to battle hard against the hot conditions.Today’s pacesetter Lorenzo set a fastest lap time of 1’49.870.
De Puniet – 8th – 1’51.030
De Puniet – 8th: “It has been a good beginning. This track has got a different lay out compared to Le Mans and it suits better to my riding style. After the first run out we already made some adjustments to the suspensions trying different tyres and my pace is pretty fast compared to last year on this racetrack. I think we are moving in the right direction as I made my lap alone and it’s very close to the top five. Basically the overall package is right but we have more adjustments to test tomorrow trying to improve the rear feeling. I could go faster and I like this track very much. It’s very hot now and we have to make a double effort to do a strong performance”.