Misano, 30 August 2008: Qualifying for the Grand Prix of San Marino and Riviera di Rimini was run in sunny conditions today with ambience temperature of 31°C and the LCR Honda MotoGP racer Randy De Puniet made solid progress ending the day 4th behind the front row riders Stoner, Rossi and Lorenzo.

After some set-up changes to his Michelin-shod Honda RC212V in this morning free session, the 27-year-old set consistent and fast lap times throughout the 60-minute session and qualified as the fastest Honda. The Frenchman set a 1’34.236 quickest time on lap 25 of 26 less than ten tenths off the fastest lap of the day and will start from the second row for tomorrow’s 28-lap race that gets underway at 14:00.

De Puniet – 4th: “Today was a very good day for us. This morning we worked on chassis set-up and suspension set-up to find the right base on these conditions. Then, in the afternoon session, we compared a few rear tyres options he have got finding a good rear tyre for tomorrow’s race. When I came out on qualifiers my pace was pretty fast but this qualifying session was very tough. I had a very good flying lap in the last lap which moved us to the 4th position on the grid. This race will be very close and it’s important to start from the first places in order to close the gap to the fastest riders. I feel happy because qualified as the fastest Honda behind three factory bikes and this means that my crew made an excellent work together with Michelin. I really want to thank everybody for their efforts”.

Qualifying Practice:

1 Stoner (1’33.378)
2 Rossi (1’33.888)
3 Lorenzo (1’33.964)
4 De Puniet (1’34.236)
5 Elias (1’34.322)
6 Pedrosa (1’34.398)
7 Vermeulen (1’34.461)
8 Nakano (1’34.494)
9 Toseland (1’34.652)
10 Edwards (1’34.795)
11 Capirossi (1’34.926)
12 Guintoli (1’34.961)
13 De Angelis (1’35.153)
14 Dovizioso (1’35.381)
15 Melandri (1’35.418)
16 Hayden (1’35.584)
17 Hopkins (1’35.980)
18 West (1’37.047)