Oliveira fastest at weather-affected Estoril test, Moncayo fourth
The second official test of 2011 at the Estoril circuit was marked by the adverse weather conditions with rain, cold temperatures and strong gusts of winde. But despite that the Andalusia 125cc Team has continued working on the development of their bikes and both Miguel Oliveira and Alberto Moncayo have returned to their places among the best riders, with the first and fourth fastest laptime respectively.
The difficult weather in the first two days of practice made it almost impossible to do anything, but despite the persistence of the wind and the track being dry only a few times during the day, the appearance of the sun gave the riders a bit of break on the final day with the track in better condition.
Miguel Oliveira, who was riding at Estoril for the first time as a world championship rider, made it clear who the boss is at his home circuit even though it is a track where he has only little experience. With a best time of 1’48.9 he finished the test as the fastest rider overall and is already preparing for the last test before the start of the championship, the IRTA test at Jerez, where he will have the opportunity to demonstrate what he is capable of on a circuit where he won the last two races in the Spanish championship.
Alberto Moncayo, who did an excellent race in the difficult Grand Prix of Portugal in 2010, arrived with a lot of motivation to repeat his good performance in Estoril and has succeeded. Alberto did a best time of 1’49.3, placing himself again in the top five. Technical difficulties left him waiting in the box for the best part of the test, but when his bike was ready he did not hesitate to go out and his anger of losing the best moments of the test session spurred him on clock his best laptime when the track was under heavy clouds and strong wind.
Despite the difficulties the team has been able to continue the work on the bikes, testing the official Aprilia material of 2011 and is already close to the optimal setting as the basis for the rest of the season.
Miguel Oliveira, 1’48.9: “The weather didn’t allow us to work hard. The first day we only went out on track for very few laps and the second day we didn’t go out at all. The third day was a bit more “normal”, we could ride, but the rain always cut us short at the wrong moment. Actually, my aim was to learn a little more about this circuit because even though it is very close to my home I have more experience in the Spanish circuits.
In Jerez I hope to be among the first like we have done so far, which is the goal we have in the tracks I know.
The setup work wasn’t easy in Estoril. In Valencia it was perfect, but here due to the bad weather the setup will not help us much as a reference. The best thing is that the team always gives me a bike that I am comfortable and gives me a good feeling. In Jerez we have references with this bike so we can progress further.”
Alberto Moncayo, 1’49.3: “Well, to be honest the weather didn’t leave us in peace and we couldn’t ride uninterrupted in the dry or the wet. The last day was better in this respect, but it still wasn’t very stable and unfortunately I had mechanical problems with the bike which prevented me from going out when the track was at its best. In any case, it is better that these problems show up now in preseason and we have progressed with our work towards the start of the championship.
Still, I’m happy. We’re doing a good job in the team, my teammate shows that, and I’m looking forward to the test in Jerez where I hope the weather is much more stable.
Source: Andalucia Team
