Espargaro & Pons happy about first time back on the bike at Catalunya
Aleix Espargaro and Axel Pons returned to work after the winter break in two days of private testing that the team has organized at the Circuit de Catalunya. Both riders mainly used this test to recover the feeling with the Pons Kalex after not riding the bike since last November. They took advantage of the first day back in the bike to get used to the sensations again and worked on their test schedule for the second day.
The team now heads to the first official test of the season in Valencia, starting on Thursday.
#80. Axel Pons ( 1.48.6′) “I really wanted to get back on the bike. The winter has been too long. The first day was a little weird because I had to get accustomed again to the speed and movement of the bike. I loved to be back riding at home, last season I missed the Grand Prix because of my wrist injuries and it’s been so long ago since I rode here and it is a track I like a lot.
The second day went very well. I tried to go step by step to find a good rhythm. At the moment I think laptimes are not important, but they are always a reference. Now we go to Valencia where I hope to keep this line and prepare well for this season.”
# 40. Aleix Espargaró. (1.48.4′) “I’m happy with the two days of testing. On Monday we used the day to get back to the feeling on the bike, it’s been two months we didn’t ride and it shows. Today we continued with the program you do at the beginning of the preseason and we tested various configurations that helped me to feel increasingly comfortable with the bike. Now we have another three days in Valencia that will help us to continue with the plans. The bike works very well and every day I feel more comfortable with it. The team works great and we have very good atmosphere. Now we have to continue working to get better every day.”
Sito Pons: “We are delighted to return to the track for the new season. The work done in this test shows that we have some riders who will fight for the front positions. The first Grand Prix in Qatar is just around the corner and I think the work done by Aleix shows he is prepared to go for the maximum this year. I see him very confident and eager to give us many joys. Meanwhile Axel is continuing his good progression with which he ended last season. He finished the year winning at Jerez [in the CEV] and I think this gave him some additional confidence that every rider needs.”
Source: Pons Racing
