Moncayo and Oliveira finish first day at Jerez just outside the Top 10

The first day of practice at the Circuito de Jerez has been marked by the strong wind which started to come up during the second free practice. Some strong gusts of wind have prevented the pilots of Team Andalucía from improving their laptimes compared to the first practice session, but both have done a good job on their bikes and are sure to improve a lot tomorrow.

Miguel Oliveira and Alberto Moncayo now made their first steps at their home Grand Prix. As usual in Team Machado, work begins by getting the setup right before fighting for laptimes and today was no exception. In the first free practice the two riders worked quietly, focusing on the setup, and finishing in 10th and 11th position respectively.
But in the second session where they should have improved their laptimes, strong wind came up at the Jerez circuit and made things very difficult for all riders. Everyone was struggling to get close to their own previous laptimes without risking too much and crash, something that happened a lot in the second practice, but both Moncayo and Oliveira have managed to avoid it. The two have finished the session close to their previous laptimes, happy and confident that they are on a good way.

Alberto Moncayo 11 ° 1’50.099
“The track was very complicated with the strong wind and the dirt it brought. But still we managed to do virtually the same laptime we did this morning and this by riding alone. Taking into account the difficulties it is a big improvement. For tomorrow we have to keep working on the bike, as there are some aspects to improve. My goal to be closer to the front runners, among the top five, but we have move up as much as possible to make a good start and stay with the front runners. Terol is very strong and it will be difficult to keep him from escaping, but I am motivated and happy and I think here we are capable to do a lot.”

Miguel Oliveira 12 ° 1’50.259
“Jerez is a track I like a lot, I’ve had great results here and good memories of it. This morning we worked on the setup of the front, trying to solve a small problem we had. In the second session the problem was the wind and I have not managed to adapt very well to these conditions, so I couldn’t improve my time, but at least I was very close. I hope things will slowly come together and that we can achieve better results than today and what I accomplished in Qatar.”

Source: Team Machado