Catalunya MotoGP: Bad luck leaves Capirossi on back row

Loris Capirossi’s 2007 fortunes nosedived again in Catalunya today when he could only qualify 17th fastest.

The veteran Italian, subject of interest from Kawasaki for 2008, could only clock a best time of 1.43.948 as he endured a disastrous time on qualifying tyres in this afternoon’s decisive qualifying session.

The 2003 Catalunya winner has reverted back to the ‘standard’ GP7 V4 motor for this weekend’s clash, having decided against running the tailor-made bike that Ducati first rolled out for him in the Italian GP in Mugello six days ago.

The loss of close to 10km/h in top speed meant Capirossi decided to temporarily ditch the new bike, with the Catalunya track also featuring a long straight.

But Capirossi’s fortunes plummeted, as he couldn’t make the most of any of the three soft Bridgestone qualifying tyres he had selected in his allocation of 17 rear tyres.

His number one machine suffered a technical failure going into turn one on the first tyre, he was then baulked by Alex Barros on his second and the third was a new qualifying tyre that lacked performance.

Capirossi told MCN: “When you have a day like today all you can do is smile. Today was a messy day because in qualifying with the good bike the engine stopped on the track. On the second bike we put the qualifying tyre in and it wasn’t working and Barros also blocked me. It was bad for me.”

Capirossi though put a brave face on his plight ahead of tomorrow’s 25-lap race. “I’m feeling good. When I check the rhythm on race tyres I’m not the best but close and I think can fight for sixth or seventh position.  But to start at the back the race is funnier for me because I have to overtake many riders. This is the first time that I start from this place but in life there is always a first time for everything.”