RED BULL SUZUKI ON THE PACE AT LAGUNA
10 July 2005 - Suzuki Racing

John Hopkins (P6, 1''23.493) will start tomorrow''s Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix from sixth place on the grid following today''s hard fought qualifying session at Laguna Seca.

Hopkins was in second position right up until the final moments of qualifying and was narrowly edged out of what would have been a well deserved front row start on his return to America.

Team-mate Kenny Roberts Jr (P12, 1''24.011) will begin the race from the fourth row after he battled to find more rear grip for his Suzuki GSV-R around the challenging Californian circuit.

American Nicky Hayden set today''s fastest time after the hour long session that was again held in brilliant sunshine, with warm track temperatures.

Tomorrow''s race is the eighth round of the MotoGP World Championship and will begin at 14.00hrs local time (23.00 hrs CET).

John Hopkins

''I''m definitely disappointed. I don''t want to be sitting on the second row, I want to be on the front. I gave it my all and did everything I could but unfortunately I ended up sixth. This will make me even more determined to run harder tomorrow. I''m going to give it everything I can, that''s for sure.

''Race times are there, the bike''s set-up is good and the Bridgestone''s are working quite well, now it''s up to me to go out, get a good start and haul ass.''

Kenny Roberts Jr

''We have tried hard today to get everything right but we are still struggling to get a consistent amount of grip out there. I would have liked a better position - obviously - but I think where we are is about right for what the bike and the tyres gave me today.

''I will be looking to get a good start tomorrow and make up a few places early on and as the race progresses we will just have to see what happens.''

Paul Denning - Team Manager

''John was again so close to a front row start. He got caught in traffic on one of his faster laps and I''m sure he could have gone a fraction of a second quicker, if he had got a clear run. Kenny is still looking for that extra bit of grip but he is hoping that he can make up some places early on in tomorrow''s race.

''We will have to wait and see what tomorrow''s weather is like and if we will have the tyre durability over 32 laps of this very demanding circuit. Both riders will be going for it from the start in front of their home fans.

''It''s been a pleasure and a privilege to represent Red Bull at the USGP so far, I hope we can perform to our maximum for them tomorrow.''

Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix Qualifying Practice Classification

1. Nicky Hayden (Honda) 1''22.670: 2. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) +0.354: 3.Alex Barros (Honda) +0.642: 4. Troy Bayliss (Honda) +0.688: 5. Colin Edwards (Yamaha) +0.799: 6. JOHN HOPKINS (RED BULL SUZUKI) +0.823: 7. Max Biaggi (Honda) +0.926: 8.Carlos Checa (Ducati) +0.927: 9. Makoto Tamada (Honda) +1.080: 10. Shinya Nakano (Kawasaki) +1.129: 12. KENNY ROBERTS JR (RED BULL SUZUKI) +1.341:

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