Aegerter in the front, Mulhauser learns in Japan

This weekend begins the overseas triple-header for the MotoGP World Championship in Japan on the Twin Ring circuit, owned by Honda, in Motegi. This first day of free practice under a beaming sun with 25 degrees of Celsius, Dominique Aegerter started off his weekend on a good note with a 4th fastest time of the day. He is going to be a serious podium contender. His teammate in the Technomag-carXpert Team, Robin Mulhauser, has never been to this extraordinary country that he says he loves already. The youngster from Fribourg finished his first day in 33rd position.

Dominique Aegerter (4th): "This is quite a good start to the weekend even though the gap between me and the fastest time held by the championship leader Spaniard Esteve Rabat is significant. That means we still have a lot of work to do but I am confident: the pace is there, consistency as well and today's 4th fastest lap time confirms that I am capable of fighting for the podium on Sunday. The most amazing thing today was the reception by fans and the number of presents that I received; Japan has always been special for me and it has been even more since my podium in the 8-hour race in Suzuka this summer. I have never had to sign so many autographs in one day!"

Robin Mulhauser (33rd): "This is truly an extraordinary circuit with violent braking points. I am learning this track and it gives the impression of a "stop and go" kind of a circuit (brake, full gas, brake, and so on). When one goes faster, new traps appear like the breakages that are really fast. I still have many problems and I totally need to get used to the behaviour of my brakes. We use them so much that it is difficult to maintain their efficiency for the duration of a whole session; that is precisely why every year we can see so many riders going off track. I am disappointed with my position, the gap is still very significant but I can feel things can improve. I have to work hard on Saturday and especially on Sunday in the race."