Pol Espargaro officially presents his HP Tuenti Moto2 team
This morning the HP Tuenti team held their official presentation in the auditorium of FNAC Callao Madrid, spearheaded by Pol Espargaro and focused on an exciting Moto2 World Championship. After a successful 2010 season with a total of 12 podiums, including three wins and third position in the final standings, the team moves up a class with motivation, medium and high expectations.
In 2011 HP Tuenti will compete with Pol Espargaro as the rider and the FTR SpeedUp bike. It’s a 600cc bike with 135PS and a weight of 150 kgs. The change will require a learning process that both the team and the rider hope and expect to be as short as possible. At 19 years of age and with a successful record in the 125cc class, Polyccio is one of the great hopes of Spanish motorcycling.
Pol Espargaró
Are you ready to start the new season?
I would have liked to have another day of testing, because the “veterans” are ahead of us and it will be difficult to fight with them in Qatar. During the preseason the weather didn’t help us and we couldn’t do the amount of laps we would have liked. I have to adapt to this situation and work hard to overcome the disadvantages in each practice session.
What are the big differences compared to 125cc?
The Moto2 bike weighs more, has more power and getting used to the peculiarity of the engine brake is not easy. And then there’s the fight on track which will certainly have many more competitors than last year. I wanted to move up and I think I’m ready for it, but that doesn’t absolve me from being humble and knowing that at the beginning I will not be among the favorites.
What is the rivalry with your brother Aleix like?
Aleix is helping me a lot during these first steps in Moto2. In the last test in Jerez he was the only who let me follow him, other riders closed the throttle when I did that to try and learn faster. At home we have our spats, but in the end we always help each other and we are happy when things go well for the other one.
Who are your favorites for the Moto2 title?
There are a lot, as you could see during last year’s races. I think Julian Simon, my brother, De Angelis, Kallio, Lüthi, Iannone … those who won last year plus the two who came down from MotoGP. And surely the young guns will battle this season, with Bradl, Redding, Marquez, etc.
Source: HP Tuenti Team