Kallio kicks off in style
250s up and runningMika Kallio (KTM) set the pace in opening 250cc practice for the 2008 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.
After a slight dip in form over the last three grands prix, the mercurial Finn is determined to hit back hard at Phillip Island and keep his championship hopes alive.
Kallio is currently third in the standings on 175pts, behind Alvaro Bautista (Aprilia, 183pts) and clear leader Marco Simoncelli (Gilera, 215pts).
All three riders were on the pace in practice, with Kallio’s 1:33.736 followed by Simoncelli (1:33.916) and Bautista (1:34.143).
The 250cc lap record at Phillip Island is now four years old, set by Argentine Sebastian Porto in 2004 (1:33.381).
The only other rider who can mathematically still claim the championship is Spain’s Alex Debon, who finished the session in seventh.
No Australians are competing in the 250s this weekend, which hasn’t been a national class in Australia since 2004.
Provisional qualifying will be held at 3:10pm this afternoon.
250 QUALIFYING TOP 10
1 | Mika Kallio, Finland, KTM | 1:33.736 |
2 | Marco Simoncelli, Italy, Gilera | 1:33.916 |
3 | Alvaro Bautista, Spain, Aprilia | 1:34.143 |
4 | Julian Simon, Spain, KTM | 1:34.133 |
5 | Hiroshi Aoyama, Japan, KTM | 1:34.278 |
6 | Mattia Pasini, Italy, Aprilia | 1:34.460 |
7 | Alex Debon, Spain, Aprilia | 1:34.478 |
8 | Rathapark Wilairot, Thailand, Honda | 1:34.683 |
9 | Aleix Espargaro, Spain, Aprilia | 1:34.795 |
10 | Hector Faubel, Spain, Aprilia | 1:34.798 |
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