Career Update

Team Reitwagen BMW riders Andrew Pitt and Roland Resch ended the first day of practice and qualifying with the 18th and 25th fastest times respectively. Considering that the team have no previous data to work with, today went more or less as they expected. The numerous slow corners and tight turns have always favoured twin-cylinder bikes here and there was no surprise when six of them filled the top eight places. Local hero Carlos Checa led the way, with fellow Ducati riders Jakub Smrz and Shane Byrne taking second and third places. Although Andrew only finished 18th today, his fastest lap of 1:35.906 is only 1.7 or seconds slower than Checa, so the field is very close indeed. Roland came though today’s practice and qualifying without any pain or problems from the right shoulder he broke in Australia. For him, the first day here in Valencia was all about getting used to the bike again and getting comfortable with it before pushing for faster times.