SS1000: Imola: Garnier Racing Team Junior Friday report

GOOD FRIDAY FOR BARRIER AND PAGAUD

The first day of practice went pretty well for Sylvain Barrier and Randy Pagaud. Barrier qualified in 5th position, very close of the provisional front row. Pagaud, who rides this kind of bike for the first time, progressed well all day long.

During the first free practice session, Sylvain Barrier was 5th and Randy Pagaud 27th. Randy is racing this weekend for Michel Garnier's team and has the opportunity to discover the BMW S 1000 RR that he will ride next week at Magny-Cours. He is now in third position in the overall standings of the French Pirelli Trophy. He raced here at Imola last year in Superstock 600.

During the timed practice session, Ayrton Badovini (BMW) was the fastest with a new lap record, quicker than the one he already did in 2009. He was in front of Zanetti (Ducati), with Berger and Antonelli (Honda) just in front of Barrier who was 5th, 1.7 behind the leader. Sylvain had a small crash by the end of the session, without consequences for himself and the bike.

Randy Pagaud progressed regularly, finishing in 22nd position, 6.8 behind Badovini. He still has a good margin of progression and should do better tomorrow, weather permitting.

Michel Garnier (team owner): "It was a good qualification. We didn't have much luck as we are very close of the front row. Sylvain lost the front, but overall it was a good session because he is on the provisional second row. It may rain tomorrow. Our goal is to score points and to progress in the championship. Randy had a good learning day. He is discovering the 1000. He is now 22nd and 4 seconds quicker than in the morning. He still can progress."

Sylvain Barrier: "I had some trouble with the traction control and we changed some connexions to try to solve the problem. We made a few changes on the bike to improve the stability, which is very important when you enter the chicanes. I didn't push hard in the beginning, and then did 3 quick laps. Entering the Tosa, I lost the front when I released the brakes, as the track is not very flat there. We shall work on the front fork."

Randy Pagaud: " I had good sensations during this first day. The morning was a good learning session. I was confident for the qualifying. I was immediately faster, going under the 2 minutes. We put some new tyres and I was 1 second faster. I enjoyed it a lot."

-source: garnier-racing-team.fr