Catalunya MotoGP: Marco Simoncelli vows to race hard but fair

Italian Marco Simoncelli has vowed to race hard but fair in tomorrow’s Catalunya MotoGP race after he stormed to a brilliant maiden pole position at the Montmelo track today.

Simoncelli’s riding will come under intense scrutiny in the 25-lap race after he came in for scathing criticism following a controversial collision with Dani Pedrosa in Le Mans.

The San Carlo Gresini Honda rider was fighting for second place when he collided with Repsol Honda rider Pedrosa, who was left with a broken right collarbone.

Simoncelli was punished with a ride through penalty but his aggressive overtake was widely condemned and on the eve of this weekend’s Catalunya clash, he met with Race Direction and warned about his future conduct.

Simoncelli produced a brilliant response to his critics this afternoon though with a stunning ride to pole position, his best lap of 1.42.413 beating Honda rival Casey Stoner by just 0.016s.

Speaking to MCN after his qualifying display, which silenced a chorus of boos from the Spanish crowd, the former 250GP world champion said: “I think that I will race like normal, although perhaps after what happened I pay a little more attention in some part of the race.

“But like always I try my best and it is possible to win. But tomorrow my main aim is to reach the podium. The first goal for tomorrow is to finish the race, the second goal is to finish on the podium and third if possible is to win.”

Simoncelli said he had quickly put the France furore behind him but he said he didn’t have a point to prove to his critics.

He added: “There are some people against me but also I saw a lot of people around the track and in the paddock who support, so for me it’s normal. This is the sport.

“Before I arrived here there was big pressure. But from the first day when I was in the paddock and met some people and had the meeting with Race Direction, it was good for me to relax and now I’m very relaxed.  I was not relaxed like this in the two weeks before coming here, but now I am.”

Reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo, who will start from third on the grid, said he expected Simoncelli to seriously challenge for his maiden victory in MotoGP in the 25-lap race.

The Spaniard, who was 0.315s behind Simoncelli, said: “It doesn’t surprise me at all. He is really fast and he has really high talent. In the last races he has been so fast and today he got the pole position and he can fight for the win tomorrow.”