Team Aspar

A newly relaid track surface designed to iron out the problems with the previous patchwork layout at Indianapolis had the reverse effect in this morning's session, as the riders struggled to find grip on a slippery surface that ironically had an abrasive effect on the tires. Andrea Dovizioso and Ben Spies adapted best to the conditions for the majority of the afternoon session, with Jorge Lorenzo in close attendance, until a strong late push from Casey Stoner saw the Australian on top of the time sheets overnight.

MAPFRE Aspar rider Héctor Barberá made a brilliant start to the weekend with the eighth fastest time this morning. In the afternoon he made gradual improvements, eventually clocking his best time of the day on lap fourteen of twenty with an effort some two seconds quicker than his morning's best. Front tire wear proved to be an obstacle to further improvement towards the end of the session, meaning he starts tomorrow morning's final free practice with work to do and a target of improving on thirteenth place so far.

13º Héctor Barberá 1.42.920 (37 laps):

“This afternoon's session was quite strange. We went out with a soft front tire at the start and the carcass was moving around quite a lot, so we switched to the hard and my feeling improved a lot. It looks to be the better option but the track surface is like sandpaper and with five laps there is no rubber left on the tire. We didn't have time to try anything else so our work is half done and I am sure we have lots of room to improve tomorrow. It has been a positive first day overall here at Indianapolis but we have work to do tomorrow, starting with the tire pressure to see if we can get it working better and lasting longer.”

PROGRAMMING NOTE: Qualifying for the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix will air on Saturday, August 27th at 11:00pm ET. The race will air LIVE on Sunday, August 28th at 2:00pm ET.