Moncayo and Rodriguez optimistic for race despite low grid positions
Josep RodrÃguez and Alberto Moncayo were not complety satisfied with the positions they achieved in today’s qualifying for the Grand Prix of Holland, however, the two riders are optimistic for the race tomorrow. The changing weather has prevented them from following a clear line of work, but the result of the qualifying session does not reflect the quality and possibilities both have, being confident for a good race tomorrow.
The weather seems to have played cat and mouse with the competitors of the Dutch Grand Prix. It rained again as soon as the track had dried up during the practice sessions, causing many crashes and preventing the team from doing their setup work normally.
Alberto Moncayo and Josep Rodriguez have especially suffered from these complications as they were not able to use the practice as they would have liked and had to setup their bikes in much fewer laps than usual on a Grand Prix weekend.
Josep Rodriguez had never ridden at the Dutch track before and the continuous weather changes have not helped him to focus on getting to grips with the circuit and the bike. Additionally, Josep crashed this morning which reduced his practice minutes even further which he could not use for a better adaptation.
Alberto Moncayo, 20° (1’47 .973)
“This morning I suffered a small crash which didn’t have major consequences, but I lost 15 minutes of practice which have taken their toll. When I came back out on track the conditions had changed a lot and I could not ride comfortable. Something similar happened in the qualifying where it started to rain and then was dry again. We had prepared our setup for a session in the wet, but then the last laps were dry and I had not enough feeling to do good laptimes. Anyway, I have a good feeling about the race where I think we can do well, but knowing that we’re starting from the 20th position things are not going to be easy.”
JOSEP RODRIGUEZ, 30° (1’49 .760)
“This morning I crashed again in the free practice. It’s been a very strange one, without stopping or anything I lost the front, I think it was because the track was very cold. This did not allow me to do many laps, something which again happened in the qualifying. It started raining soon after the start of the session, we changed to rain tyres and then we had to switch back to dry when there were only seven minutes left. In those last few laps I could not ride behind anyone and I could not do a good laptime. Both with the team and the bike I feel very comfortable, but everything is very new and this weekend I could not do too many laps. Tomorrow I will try to get a good start and I think finishing in the top 20 would be a good result.”
Source: Team Machado