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Category: Moto GP
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IN THE BATTLE FOR THE PODIUM, ESPARGARÓ IN THE MIX ALL THE WAY TO THE CHEQUERED FLAG
The final lap of the MotoGP Sprint Race thrilled the numerous and lively Thai fans with a battle fought all the way to the chequered flag between Aleix and Marc Marquez. The Aprilia riding Spaniard, after starting from the third spot on the grid, had built up a good gap ahead of his compatriot and was pushing to make a play for the third step of the podium, provisionally occupied by Marini. Unfortunately, the gap was reset when he went wide and, between passes and counter-passes, he wound up in fifth place. However, the feeling is there on a difficult track and the long race tomorrow (with a lot of strategy in play) will give Espargaró the chance to exploit all the hard work done during the practice sessions.
Saturday was not quite as happy for Maverick, who had been a protagonist until today here in Buriram. Both in qualifying and in the Sprint Race, the Aprilia rider was unable to find the good feeling from the other sessions. After starting from the third row, he had to reckon with the start height-device system failing to disengage, which relegated him to last place. In his attempt to recover, Viñales also exceeded track limits twice, forcing him to pay a long-lap penalty. The goal for tomorrow is to find those good sensations he had before and finish the weekend on a positive note.
ALEIX
"I’m proud of the work we are doing on this track. Remembering last year, when I arrived here I did not have any great expectations, but I must say that I am feeling good. In the final laps today, I wanted to try to battle with Marini for the podium, but I made a mistake that allowed Marc to catch up. It was an exciting final lap. I knew that he was going to have a go on the final turn and, even though I braked extremely hard, he managed to stay ahead of me. A lot more strategy will come into play in the race tomorrow, but with the harder compound at the rear I was fast so I’ll be trying for the podium again."
MAVERICK
"I am angry because in qualifying and in the Sprint Race, we were unable to maintain the level we had up until this morning. In the race, I went wide twice. The pace was lacking, and we need to find out what happened. Tomorrow, much will depend on the feeling I’m able to find."
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MAVERICK SECOND AND ALEIX THIRD ON THE FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE
STRAIGHT THROUGH TO Q2 AND GOOD SENSATIONS
There is a positive air in the Aprilia camp after the initial practice sessions on the Buriram circuit in Thailand. Maverick and Aleix were protagonists in both session, focusing their work on used tyres in preparation for tomorrow’s Sprint race and the GP on Sunday. The time attack in the afternoon then had them going easily straight through to Q2, with the second and third time respectively for Viñales and Espargaró.
With thirteen riders all within four tenths of one another, it promises to be a weekend where details, consistency, and precision will make the difference.
ALEIX
"I was surprised at our performance today, especially in some stages such as going into turns where we usually lose a few tenths. The track conditions are different than last year but we are also working a lot on the position in the saddle. The guys at Aprilia analyse the data and from their reports, it seems like that is an aspect we can work on to improve the RS-GP. I should point out that we are all extremely close, so we’ll need to be perfect to qualify well tomorrow."
MAVERICK
"On tracks like this one, being able to be precise is the secret to being fast. Today we managed and that is important. It means that we have learned from our experiences this season. As I always say, we need to build our performance day after day and always add another piece to the puzzle. It is only Friday, but I’ll do everything I can to stay out front tomorrow as well. We have a chance and we need to exploit it."
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A few weeks ago, Gresini Racing and the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy reconvened during the 15th round of the MotoGP season at the Mandalika International Circuit. This meeting served as an opportunity to renew their partnership for the upcoming season.
The iconic 'Wonderful Indonesia' logo will continue to adorn the wings of the Ducati Desmosedici GP23, which from next year will be in the hands of Alex Marquez and his brother Marc. The primary goal remains unchanged: Gresini Racing MotoGP will remain the team of reference for many Indonesian brands and for a fanzone that has always been at the top of the global rankings.
SANDIAGA UNO – Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy
“First of all, we are delighted to extend partnership between MoTCE and Gresini Racing Team, as we now the ongoing partnership has positive impact for both Indonesia and Gresini. We are proud to witness Wonderful Indonesia and our national brand (Federal oil, Aspira, Antangin, MS Glow, Bold Riders and Riding Style) “compete” in international circuits around the world, moreover when Gresini rider take the winning podium. Next year will be exciting with the arrival of the 8 times world champion Marc Marquez, we can’t wait!”.
CARLO MERLINI – Gresini Racing Commercial and Marketing director
“I’m delighted to announce the extension of our partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy to make Gresini Racing “Official Ambassador Team of Indonesia” for another two years. For us it is an acknowledgement for promoting several Indonesian sponsors on the global stage of the MotoGP World Championship and for engaging a very large number of local fans who see Gresini Racing MotoGP as the Team that represents their own nation. And we feel extremely honoured to display the Wonderful Indonesia logo on our bikes and rider suits. I would like to thank Your Excellency Minister Sandiaga Uno, the Deputy Ministers Made Marthini and Vinsensius Jemadu for the trust in Gresini Racing.”
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ALEIX EIGHTH AND MAVERICK ELEVENTH IN THE GP OF AUSTRALIA
APRILIA RACING UNABLE TO CONFIRM THE GOOD PERFORMANCE FROM FRIDAY IN THE RACE, BOTH RS-GP MACHINES FINISH FAR OFF THE PODIUM
The good sensations experienced by Aprilia Racing on Friday were not confirmed on the Saturday dedicated to qualifying and, partially due to the change of programme forced by the looming foul weather, in the 27-lap GP.
In fact, the usual order of the Grand Prix and the Sprint Races was inverted due to the rain and high winds forecast for tomorrow, so the short race is still on the schedule.
On Friday, the factory RS-GP machines distinguished themselves, taking top-ten spots easily with Maverick in third place. However, Viñales struggled in Q2, finishing in the ninth spot on the grid. Espargaró did better than him, taking the fourth spot on the grid.
After a good start from the second row, Aleix progressively lost contact with the leading group, partly because of a battle for sixth that lasted throughout the entire race. The many overtaking manoeuvres, to his advantage and detriment, with Miller, Marc, and Alex Marquez, and in the finale also with Bezzecchi, progressively increased the gap between that group and the one leading the race. In the battle that lasted all the way to the finish line, Aleix finished eighth.
Farther back, Viñales had to settle for eleventh. Maverick did not start badly, but the battle in the central group kept him from finding a pace acceptable and consistent enough to attempt a comeback.
ALEIX
"It was a difficult race. From the start, we struggled with grip on some sections of the track, but just enough that we were unable to do the same pace as those at the front. I knew that it would be a race where we’d need to manage the tyre well and I tried to do so at the start, but it was not enough because, especially on the right-handers, there was a lot of spin. If the Sprint Race is held in the dry tomorrow, we may have better chances. I was fast in both qualifying and practice using the softer rear."
MAVERICK
"Nothing really out of the ordinary happened, this was simply our level today. I expected this, partly because the traction was not good yesterday. I tried to look after the tyres today, but it didn’t make much of a difference. We need to focus on improving the bike. If we are able to this weekend, it would be an important step, also in view of next year. What we need to do is understand the difficulties and learn from them."
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THE GOOD MOMENT CONTINUES FOR APRILIA RACING: IN AN EXTREMELY FIGHTED SESSION THE TWO RIDERS ACHIEVE THE TOP TEN WITH VIÑALES THIRD AND ALEIX NINTH
GOOD RACE PACE FOR BOTH WITH A VIEW TO THE GP WHICH, GIVEN THE VERY BAD FORECAST FOR SUNDAY, WILL BE RUN ON SATURDAY, INSTEAD OF THE SPRINT
Perhaps the most spectacular track of the entire calendar, both in terms of layout and the setting overlooking the ocean, confirmed itself right from the first MotoGP practices as the perfect theater for spectacular and hard-fought sessions. In which the Aprilia standard bearers performed well, working on the race pace on used tires and then easily gaining direct access to Q2 qualifying.
Maverick, just a few days after the Mandalika podium, confirmed his speed even on a drastically different circuit. Symptom of a now consolidated feeling with the RS-GP, which only requires precise work on the details. At Phillip Island the object of attention is the last sector, where both riders were less incisive. Nonetheless, Viñales set the third fastest time which includes him in the second qualifying and lays the foundations for a good weekend.
Aleix's performance goes beyond his ninth place finish, which came after a less than perfect time attack. The Spanish rider has in fact concentrated his work on race configuration, with medium rear tyre. Finding an interesting pace but, mirroring his teammate, losing a few tenths in the last sector.
ALEIX
"This year the track has a lot of bumps and I lose time especially in the last corner. On the rest of the circuit I feel okay, today we worked hard and well with the medium tire and I'm very happy with my pace. On the decision to do the race on Saturday: I agree, it seems like the right choice for the Championship, for the points up for grabs, for the fans. Then, if the conditions are right on Sunday, even with rain or wind, we will do the Sprint."
MAVERICK
"It was a very positive day, we worked well and the weather was also fantastic. I feel good on the bike, exactly like in Mandalika and it is very important to have these same sensations on two different circuits, with a different degree of grip even if we found the track with many bumps. For tomorrow we need to improve in the last sector, I lose a lot especially in the last corner, we will analyze the data with the team and if we understand why, and manage to fix the bike, we will be able to do very well. The first objective will be to start in the front rows because we have a good pace and it will be important to be in the fastest group straight away."
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