PRACTICE RAIN HIT INDIANAPOLIS GP OPENING DAY Indianapolis, 28 August: LCR Honda MotoGP rider Randy De Puniet clocked the 13th fastest lap time at today’s opening free practice session at Indianapolis Speedway race track which hosts the 12th round of the calendar. Sunny skies welcomed the MotoGP circus this morning at the famous American race track which celebrates its 100th anniversary but the 4.216 km circuit was hit by torrential rain 10 minutes before the premier class session beginning. The Frenchman aboard the Honda RC212V no. 14 is still struggling with the left ankle injury he suffered in a motocross accident prior to the Czech GP in Brno when he rode through the pain to finish tenth place despite the broken ankle. De Puniet rode his machine for 9 laps only on the rain-lashed and slippery track clocking his quickest lap time of 1’55.674 then he wisely cut the session earlier to avoid further risks.
De Puniet – 13th: “Obviously it’s really hard in these conditions. We decided to go out just to check the bike set up and I have been very careful to avoid silly crashes and further damages on my broken ankle. I rode for few laps but I can feel that the ankle is improving although this track has many left corners. The weather is getting better tomorrow and we will have the time to fine-tune the bike for the race”. 158