Xavi Vierge & Isaac Viñales primed for Qatar Test after positive Jerez outing

Tech3 Racing Team riders Xavi Vierge and Isaac Viñales closed the three day Jerez test with encouraging results after tirelessly lapping the circuit in preparation for the 2016 Moto2 World Championship.

Xavi Vierge undertook a relentless charge as he completed a mammoth 175 laps across three days, with his personal best being set in the opening session yesterday.

This time was seven tenths of a second faster than his quickest lap on day one as the young Spaniard focused on the new KYB suspension package as well as the 2016 Mistral 610 chassis, with the results being encouraging. The performance leaves the 18 year old confident of clinching point scoring finishes in the forthcoming season.

Meanwhile, Isaac Viñales pushed hard in all three days as he positively continues to adapt his riding style to the physical nature of the Moto2 class. In addition, he concentrated on the front feeling of the Mistral 610 and his efforts saw him cut 0.878 from his fastest lap from the opening session. Now, he optimistically looks on to the final test and is poised for further advances.

Xavi Vierge
“I am very happy with how the test went and we accomplished a lot in these three days of testing. I sampled a lot of new components and parts from KYB and the Tech3 Racing Team and there is a big improvement in every area compared to last year’s bike. I am feeling very positive about the upcoming Qatar test and it’s fair to say that we have definitely taken a step forward from last season. The team have done a great job and have worked very hard over the winter, but now the big contest is almost here! I am looking forward to riding at the Losail International Circuit for the first time. Thanks to the Tech3 Racing Team and KYB for their hard work, I can’t wait to get back on the Mistral 610.”

Isaac Viñales
“Overall, my feeling at the end of the test is positive and we had a lot of things to try but we will go to Qatar full of confidence. For me, the biggest factor that I had to focus on was adapting my riding style in order to suit the Moto2 bike and I tried to improve this lap by lap. In addition, another main point was trying to establish a good base where I feel comfortable, which I feel we succeeded with. Now, we will all head to Qatar where the whole grid will use the official 2016 engines and the same tyres so it will be very interesting to see the lap times there and I’m excited to see what we can do.”

Source: Tech3