Mugello, 30 May 2008: LCR Honda MotoGP rider Randy De Puniet was in good form today, finishing eight fastest in a dramatic day of free practice for Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix. Both sessions were conducted on a wet track as the 5.245 km circuit was lashed by a torrential rain storm that made conditions extremely difficult.

De Puniet was the pacesetter for the major part of the second session in full wet conditions but when the surface began to dry the Frenchman aboard the Michelin-shod Honda RC212V did not feel very confident and he gained the 8th quickest time (2’03.568). The LCR squad completed a productive day of race set-up for wet conditions in advance of Sunday’s 23 lap race even though it seems that the weather will change completely for tomorrow’s qualifying session.

De Puniet – 8th: “Basically we can cut the afternoon’s session in two parts: the first part was completely wet and I was one of the fastest riders in these conditions. It was easy for me to lap with a fast rhythm because had a very good feeling with the overall package. When the track started to dry up I did not feel enough comfortable on the bike. This is something that we must improve. I know that the weather could change for tomorrow and it’s better for everybody. We will do our best to set up the bike in dry conditions in the morning free session”.


Free Practice:

1 Vermeulen (2’01.500)
2 Hayden (2’02.010)
3 Stoner (2’02.305)
4 Rossi (2’02.327)
5 Toseland (2’02.412)
6 Lorenzo (2’02.562)
7 Dovizioso (2’02.569)
8 De Puniet (2’03.568)
9 Edwards (2’03.586)
10 Pedrosa (2’03.699)
11 De Angelis (2’03.765)
12 Hopkins (2’03.950)
13 Capirossi (2’04.049)
14 West (2’05.397)
15 Nakano (2’05.634)
16 Okada (2’06.103)
17 Guintoli (2’06.257)
18 Elias (2’08.980)
19 Melandri (2’14.112)