Xavi, like most riders, experienced grip problems and he and the team will make adjustments to the bike’s suspension and gearing tomorrow to see if they improve the bike. Aussie Brendan Roberts (Ducati) set the day’s fastest lap, with Maxime Berger (Honda) second, Davide Giugliano (Suzuki) third and Dominic Lammert (Suzuki) fourth.

Xavi - 5th, 2.02.056
I found it difficult today and the main problem for me is lack of grip. The track is not so bad, though the rear tyre has been giving me some problems in parts of the track. I’ve also had some problems with acceleration out of the turns, so we will make some changes to the gearing and suspension to see if we can improve those areas. I rode here a couple of weeks ago, in a German Championship race, but this time we are using a different track layout, so we are starting out all over again. At the moment, I am not satisfied, but I am sure we can improve tomorrow.

Friday qualifying
1 Roberts (Aus-Ducati) 2:00.377, 2 Berger (F-Honda) 2:00.960, 3 Giugliano (I-Suzuki) 2:01.326, 4 Lammert (D-Suzuki) 2:01.351, 5 Xavi Simeon (B-Alstare Suzuki) 2:02.056, 6 Pirro (I-Yamaha) 2:02.120, 7 Smrz (CZ-Honda) 2:02.192, 8 Perotti (I-Suzuki) 2”02.520, 9 Corti (I-Yamaha) 2:02552, 10 Antonelli (I-Honda) 2:02.561,