Checa hails qualifying breakthrough

The veteran could only manage 12th on the grid for the season-opener in Qatar a fortnight ago, but feels that he has now got to grips with the Michelin qualifying tyres, having spent 2006 on Dunlops with the Tech 3 Yamaha team.

"The most important thing today was the qualifying," Checa said.

"In Qatar, we couldn't use the qualifying tyre well. Finally here, especially during this great weekend for us, we reach the level in qualifying. We did the lap time, we're on the first row.

"It's quite important for us because it was one point that we needed to fix, and so far we've improved quite a lot and we are quite satisfied."

Checa is now aiming for a podium in his home race, having been fastest in two of the three free practice sessions this weekend and having only been 0.058 seconds away from pole position this afternoon.

"We're working quite well, with the support of Michelin of course," he said. "The pace is quite good, especially for us."