Highly motivated Simon is secondfastest on first day at Estoril

The Moto2 riders knew when they drew back their curtains this morning that today was going to be a tough opening day at the Grand Prix of Portugal with heavy rain rendering the first free practice virtually useless. The conditions were so bad that many of them opted not to take to the track at all, waiting instead for an improvement in the afternoon. Thankfully they got what they hoped for as the rain abated, with first of all the MotoGP bikes and then the Moto2 machines helping to form a dry line on the sodden track. The intermediate category riders were even able to fit slick tyres for the final few minutes of the session, with Gabor Talmacsi setting the fastest time ahead of Julian Simon, Toni Elias and surprise package Kenan Sofuoglu, making his debut.

After deciding to sit out the morning session Mapfre Aspar rider Simon completed just ten laps this afternoon – seven of which were on rain tyres but the last three were on slicks, enabling him to step his pace up considerably and clock the second fastest time of the session. His team-mate Mike Di Meglio also opted not to risk it this morning and the Frenchman rode with extra caution in the afternoon, setting just a couple of laps on slick tyres and finishing 37th fastest. Both riders are hoping for better weather tomorrow.

2nd Julián Simón 1.51.304 (10 laps): “Today was a pretty strange day because of the weather. At least in the end we were able to get a little bit of work done and get a feeling for the new engine and gearbox. We were able to make sure it was all working properly and even though we started the session on wet tyres the track began to dry and we would have destroyed them. We were also at risk of crashing, which is why I didn’t go out this morning because I am fighting for second in the championship and I don’t want to lose it by doing something stupid. At the end of the afternoon session I did three good laps on slicks and luckily managed to finish second fastest, even though I was riding very carefully because of the state of the track. That gives me a lot of motivation and I hope to continue in the same way tomorrow.”

Source: Mapfre Aspar Team