Fourth row for Espargaro, better feeling on the bike for Pons

This Sunday, beginning at 6.15 in the morning, the Moto2 race of the Japan Grand Prix will be held. Aleix Espargaro and Axel Pons will start this race from 13th from 24th on the grid, respectively.

Despite improving his feeling aboard the Kalex Pons, Espargaró could not qualify on the front rows of the grid, one of his goals for the weekend. This on a day where the pole position laptime from last year has been improved by one second and again equality among the field has been the dominant factor – Espargaró is less than half a second behind fourth place. Still, the HP 40 Pons rider trusts his chances to fight for podium positions tomorrow.

Meanwhile his teammate Axel Pons has continued his progression on the weekend where has finally returned to racing. Pons wasn’t satisfied either with the result he achieved, although his main target for this weekend is to fight for points. At the moment the rider from Barcelona feels good with his left hand, waiting to understand how it will react to the physical efforts of the race.

#40. Aleix Espargaro: 13 – 1’53″135
“Until this morning at the end of the practice I was not happy with how the bike went and honestly the qualfying has gone well. I wouldn’t know where the bike could still be improved, and in the last three laps with the last tyres I felt really good. I enjoyed riding, I rode like I wanted, but I really do not know why I didn’t do a good laptime, because I’ve been comfortable. I have to go over the session carefully and see where I can improve myself and test it in the warm-up to take a small step forward. At the very least we have to be in the second group. Here are two or three riders who are going very fast and I think my bike is good enough to be in that second group. I have to improve in two or three points of the circuit where I lose a lot, and if I get it I think I can fight to finish among the top guys.”

#80. Axel Pons: 24 – 1’53″755
“Every time I feel more comfortable on the bike, I can push more and the bikes responds better to my actions. We are a second and a half from the best time, but I’m not worried, because I have not finished completing a good lap. I know I have a good rhythm. Tomorrow it will be important to get a good start and I hope it does not rain. So far the hand is giving me no problems, although I have not done a very long run. At least I have to be in the points, but the important thing is not to make mistakes.”

Source: Pons Racing