Simon takes 10th in inaugural Moto2 race, Fores debuts with 26th

The more things change, the more they stay the same. The bikes in competition in the 125cc and Moto2 categories were different, but the races were remarkably similar in Qatar. The grid rows were separated into lines of three, and there was no same-day warmup for the intermediate class riders, and there was one outstanding man at the front. Stefan Bradl won the race, although behind him there were plenty of duels in an entertaining contest. The next round of the series takes place in Jerez, Spain.

MAPFRE Aspar rider Julián Simón was once again faced with adversity in the opening race of the year. He qualified in a decent sixth place, and was ready to go all-out in Qatar on race night. He moved up a position on lap one, but found himself less at ease with his bike as the contest progressed. Used to such a situation, Simón responded with a cautious ride that prevented him from crashing out. He eventually came home tenth, taking five points away from the desert track.

The best Spaniard in the class, he hopes for a more positive result in Jerez at the next round.

New teammate in the MAPFRE Aspar squad, Xavi Forés, began from 21st on the grid and attempted to move up the field. A lack of pace proved to be his undoing, as he dropped down to 26th.

10th Julián Simón: “Looking on the positive side, we have got a better start than last year -when I didn’t even complete the first lap. This year I have got six points. Tenth isn’t where we wanted to finish, but we had a problem with the front tyre meant that I couldn’t ride comfortably in the race. I hope to continue finetuning the bike in Jerez, in order to have a good race there. We have a lot of data from the winter. We had problems finding our pace, but we have improved every step of the way. I found the bike to be much better in yesterday’s warmup. I felt pretty fluid at the start, but from the seventh lap onwards I was locking up on every turn, coming close to crashing.”

26th Xavi Forés: “I had a pretty good start, and kept with the Group of riders from eleventh to twentiefth. That was fairly comfortable, but suddenly I noticed that the bike was shaking at the back, and I don’t know why the tyre was doing that. This was a big setback, especially on the turns. It is also true that I lacked the track time to have been as good as I wanted. I felt good this weekend, found a fast lap but then lacked a bit of pace in a race situation. I tried to keep a good feeling at the end, picking up a bit of confidence. We have to think that a good result is possible in Jerez

Source: Mapfre Aspar Team