Excellent Start Down Under For Aspar’s 125cc Squad
The Australian Grand Prix got underway an hour later than normal at Phillip Island with fresh but pleasurable conditions welcoming the paddock to one of the most picturesque venues in racing. No fewer than five wildcards boosted the entry list for the 125cc class but there were few surprises as podium regulars Nico Terol and Sandro Cortese set the pace. The Spaniard and the German are currently half a second clear of the rest of the field although the gap is likely to reduce tomorrow around this fast and flowing circuit.
BANKIA Aspar rider Terol was joined in the top five by his team-mates Héctor Faubel and Adrián MartÃn. Whilst Terol continues his quest to wrap up the title before the final round at Valencia, Héctor is focused on maintaining his solid recent form and Adrián on extending his impressive progress. Faubel had to overcome some mechanical issues today as well as the ongoing effects of injuries picked up at Aragón. MartÃn was the day’s surprise package, clocking two fast laps behind Zarco at the end of the session that left him in his best practice position so far this season.
2nd Nico Terol 1.38.708 (38 laps):
“I am really happy with the job we have done today. I have had a lot of fun and we improved the bike from one session to the other. I just focused on working on my rhythm and I am satisfied with it. We have to have a close look at the telemetry because this morning the bike was working really well in the final corner but this afternoon it was sliding a lot. We haven’t changed much but the air was different and it was harder to get on the pace. Everything is usually pretty close here so I think the important thing is to stay focused and concentrate on the race.”
4th Héctor Faubel 1.39.132 (31 laps):
“We had to pull in a few times today to solve a little mechanical problem we had this morning but luckily we worked it out in the afternoon and even though the session wasn’t brilliant we still managed to lap fourth fastest. We were losing 10km/h in the straight but now we know why and I am sure we can be up there tomorrow. From a physical point of view I am feeling pretty good. The neck is still a bit stiff but I am having intense physiotherapy at the clinica to recover as quickly as possible and hopefully at least be better on Sunday than we were in Japan.”
5th Adrián MartÃn 1.39.241 (33 laps):
“Ever since Aragon we have been taking small steps forward. We are doing things little by little and in the last race we closed in on the lead group. The bike is working well thanks to the team and that is giving me the opportunity to develop, it is just a shame it is coming so late in the season. We worked well today and I got some laps in behind Zarco, which helped me get a rhythm together and should be useful for Sunday. The important thing is that step by step we are improving.”
Source: Aspar Media
