However
after the long and unexpected delay, the Camel Honda team began to find the right pace; with Alex Barros going fastest during the practice session which took place in the wet, only to be bettered in the final few seconds by Kenny Roberts’ Suzuki; and Troy Bayliss improving considerably as he set the fourth fastest time, also in the second free hour. The best times of the day were set during the first free however, on the dry track, with Alex and Troy having set the seventh and tenth fastest times consecutively.

Sito Pons – Camel Honda
“This afternoon the track conditions were very strange, and even a little dangerous with the track half-wet half-dry. Nevertheless we still made the most of it to do some hard work and collect data, just in case the race takes place in the same kind of conditions. I am happy, because Alex and Troy have proved they have a good rhythm going here. Both the riders and the team are working really well.”

Alex Barros – Camel Honda – 2’02.816 7th fastest
“The Shanghai track is very technical and very slow, practically all the corners are first- or second-gear. There is a long straight where you reach maximum speeds, but then there are some really hard braking areas. It’s good for overtaking manoeuvres, because the braking zone is a lot bigger, and you have more chances to make passes. In the first practice when we worked in the dry, we had a few problems with the front end and with the set-up in general, which I’m sure can be improved. In the wet though, I was ready. I began the second session
with wet tyres on and rode well, then I stuck in some intermediates, but needed to be a bit more prudent on them at first. At the end though I was able to go quicker with them. I hope that tomorrow it is dry, because we need to make improvements in those conditions.”

Troy Bayliss – Camel Honda – 2’03.526 10th fastest
“I think that everybody is impressed with this track, above all for the buildings which are more like a resort than a circuit. The track is good, even though the corners are generally quite slow. I would prefer there to be a few faster ones, but every track has its characteristics and I like this one. In the dry today things went quite well, but we can improve, whilst in the wet I felt good on board the bike.”