Catalunya MotoGP: Melandri voices front tyre concerns

Italian Marco Melandri has revealed major concerns about front tyre durability ahead of Sunday’s Catalunta GP near Barcelona.

The former world 250 champion told MCN that he has been struggling with a front tyre problem throughout the opening day of practice in Spain.

The Gresini Honda rider finished ninth on combined times at the end of the today’s two free practice sessions, with a best lap of 1.43.811 leaving him 0.712s adrift of compatriot Valentino Rossi on the final timesheets.

And Melandri said: “It was a difficult day. This morning went quite well but this afternoon with the temperature increase it’s been more difficult for the tyres.” Track temperature between this morning and this afternoon’s session rose by 16 degrees and worsened Melandri’s problems.

He is concerned about front tyre grip while under braking going into corners and added: “We have good potential but the biggest problem is we have to improve the front tyre. We tried something different but we have to work a lot. I’m not fast for all the race distance and the problem is entering the corner under braking. The front is pushing. I’m using quite a hard tyre but it looks too soft after some laps.” Melandri’s concerns have been heightened, as the hardest front tyre choice he ran today is the hardest option he has in his allocation of 14 fronts.

“That is not easy because I’ve been told the temperature will go up. Unfortunately that tyre is the hardest one I have so we have to try some small things on the chassis that helps the bike push the front tyre less to help save it, “said Melandri