Qualifying: Valentino Rossi has a strong record at the circuit, having stepped onto the podium seven times in the premier class, three of which have been victories. The Ducati Team rider has a best finish of fifth place so far this season in his debut campaign with the Borgo Panigale factory, and was encouraged by what he found at the Estoril Test.
Randy de Puniet will want to improve on his best MotoGP result of seventh (from last year) in front of his home crowd. The Pramac Racing rider took four consecutive podiums here in the former 250cc class, and would love to kickstart his 2011 season with a strong result on home soil.
Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Colin Edwards has had a good start to 2011, and is keen to impress at his team’s home GP.
Current Championship leader and reigning World Champion, Jorge Lorenzo, kicked off proceedings and the Yamaha Factory Racing rider is anticipating another competitive weekend at a track at which he has won for the past two seasons.
Dani Pedrosa trails his fellow Spaniard by just four points in the standings after his victory in the previous round at Estoril, and the Repsol Honda rider’s confidence is evident following his improved physical condition.
