Magny-Cours – Free Practice & Qualifying Practice 1. Friday, 01 October 2010. Weather conditions: Partly cloudy. Temperature: Air: 18 – 21 °C, Track: 30 – 36 °C Number of riders participating: 22 from 13 teams Fastest lap Free Practice: Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox Team) 1:39.179 min Fastest lap Qualifying Practice 1: Lorenzo Lanzi (DFX Corse) 1:38.856 min Programme: With the end to a long and eventful season in the FIM Superbike World Championship close, Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport started the final race weekend in Magny-Cours (FRA) well: While Ruben Xaus (ESP) was able to post consistently good lap times from Friday’s first practice session onwards, Troy Corser (AUS) eventually finished the first qualifying session seventh. Troy Corser: Bike: BMW S 1000 RR Fastest lap Free Practice: 1:40.244 min (15th ) / Fastest lap Qualifying 1: 1:39.119 min (7th ) “We tried some quite different settings in the first session today. We had already struggled with the side grip in Imola and wanted to get this issue sorted here. The grip in the corner entry and apex is not too good, and at the exit we still have a lot of wheel spin. The bike’s reaction improved after changing a couple of settings in the qualifying session, and I was faster. But I still feel we have to find out what it is that is making me ride on the limit all the time.” Ruben Xaus: Bike: BMW S 1000 RR Fastest lap Free Practice: 1:39.340 min (2nd ) / Fastest lap Qualifying 1: 1:39.566 min (16th ) “I am quite happy today. My rhythm was good from the beginning, and I was able to post very consistent lap times. Nevertheless, I still have too much wheel spin at the exit of the slow corners. In the last corner, I have to be careful not to touch the kerbs with the engine cover. We did many laps today, and I feel well-prepared for tomorrow.” Rainer Bäumel (Technical Director BMW Motorrad Motorsport): “Today Ruben posted very solid lap times from the first outing onwards. Although not having finished in the top positions, I am not worried as his lap times were consistently good. On Troy’s side of the garage we worked hard on the chassis set-up. It seems as if we found something substantial at the end of the day. We are confident for tomorrow. ” BMW Motorrad Motorsport and Davide Tardozzi have agreed to part company by mutual consent with immediate effect. BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director, Berthold Hauser, says: “With his wealth of experience Davide has been a great help to us this season in his role as Team Manager. However, he and the team had different ideas regarding the structure of the team. We would like to thank Davide for his contribution to a good partnership and wish him all the best for the future.”