Simon eager to get back on the podium

The first signs of autumn become apparent for the MotoGP paddock as the first of a series of long-haul trips marks the start to the final chapter of a long season. This weekend the American public will get their first chance to enjoy the Moto2 World Championship as the series makes its second intercontinental trip of the year for the Indianapolis Grand Prix. It is the first of back-to-back races for the intermediate class, with the San Marino round coming just seven days later. The home of the legendary Indy 500 provides the latest battleground for the most open Grand Prix category in living memory and the next challenge for the title contenders Toni Elías and Andrea Iannone to continue their tussle for the crown.

The focus for Mapfre Aspar rider Julián Simón is a return to the podium positions for the first time since his home race in Barcelona, following his most recent fifth-place finish at Brno. The Spaniard traditionally hits top form in the latter stages of the season, as he showed on his way to the 125cc title last year, when he took five podiums – including three wins – from the final seven races.

Julián Simón: “Indianapolis is a circuit I like even though I haven’t really gone well there in the past. I have struggled to get on to the pace for the past couple of seasons but this is a new category for everybody so we start from scratch. We will have to work well and fast in order to find a set-up as soon as possible. The plan for the race is to try and get a good start, which is the area we’ve been struggling with the most, and stick with the lead group. It is a while since we have managed to do that and it would be nice to finally improve on the second place finish from Le Mans and the third place from Barcelona. I feel very motivated about this weekend, especially after the fifth place at Brno – a result we had to really work for. Hopefully this time I don’t have to make up as many positions in the race and can be in the podium positions from the start, which I am confident we can do. It would be nice if we can improve the bike a little and make up those two or three tenths that are holding us back from a challenge for a pole position or even a victory just at the moment.”

Source: Mapfre Aspar Team