Simon 14th On Misano Grid, Torres Doubtful For Race Start

It is normal practice for Moto2 riders to demolish lap records this year but the situation was even more extreme than usual at Misano today, with the riders lapping some two seconds quicker than last year. Part of the reason is no doubt the fact that it is still early days for the fledgling series but Stefan Bradl and Marc Márquez are also to blame, the pair embroiled in an intense battle for the championship and setting a red hot pace today. The German took pole position in the end but the Spaniard is close behind, with the likes of Takahasi, Redding, De Angelis and Iannone also in with a chance.

Julián Simón, normally a victory contender himself, is particularly struggling here with his injured leg because of the frequent direction changes but he has made progress in every session and set three fast laps at the end of qualifying today – the best a 1’38.887 – to seal fourteenth on the grid. His team-mate Jordi Torres saw his excellent progress here halted by a crash on the third lap of qualifying, having lapped fourteenth fastest in free practice this morning. He has damaged the small finger on his right hand and will undergo a late fitness test tomorrow morning.

14th Julián Simón 1.38.887 (20 laps):
“In the end my physical condition would not allow for more than fourteenth on the grid but I am sure we can tae a step forward in the race. Physically I am not at 100% and with back-to-back races that makes it even harder but we will give our best. Márquez and Bradl are on another planet at the moment but as far as we are concerned we are targeting the top ten. We need to get a good start and be careful over the opening laps because there’ll be a lot of contact at such a tight circuit. The team have done a good job with the bike so that I don’t have to move around as much but the leg is still a problem. The finger injury was a shame for Jordi because he has had a great weekend otherwise.”

36th Jordi Torres 1.40.821 (3 laps):
“I am upset about the crash because we have not been able to confirm the improving form we have shown here. We are doing a good job and the lap times are coming so I feel sorry for the team because they are doing a perfect job. It was a fast crash and it was a bit of a fright. It looks like the finger is pretty bad but I would still like to race tomorrow. Unfortunately it looks like the doctors might say no because the tendon is in a bad way.”

Source: Aspar Media