Sepang Gives Terol First Chance To Clinch 125cc Title
It is the second longest circuit on the calendar (it used to be the longest until the addition of Silverstone), it is between six and ten metres wider than the rest and it is the scene of the most demanding weather conditions in the championship. The Sepang International Circiut will see the 125cc riders take to the track on Friday for the penultimate Grand Prix of the season. For the smallest class in MotoGP it is an extremely challenging venue, where engine set-up is crucial for the long straights and high temperatures. There is extra heat on Nico Terol and Johan Zarco this weekend, with the Spaniard needing only to finish ahead of the Frenchman to seal the title.
BANKIA Aspar rider Terol is playing deaf to those pronouncing him 125cc World Champion already. It is something he has put up with all season long but has yet to waver from his approach of taking each session as it comes and trying to win each race. However, there is no escaping that this one is different and that Sunday’s could be the longest race of his life. But after a difficult race in Australia last week that saw him have to combine tenacity with caution he is now fully focused on the job at hand. His team-mate Héctor Faubel also suffered in the race at Phillip Island but came through it with a creditable seventh place whilst Adrián MartÃn, who led the race for the first time in his Grand Prix career, cannot wait to take his good form to Malaysia.
Nico Terol:
“To be honest Australia was a really tough race for me but we defended ourselves well and limited the damage after a slow start. We go to Malaysia with a 25-point lead in the championship but I am not thinking about that. The objective is to go out and win at all costs, tackling Friday’s session as if it were Indianapolis or Aragon, where I put the hammer down from the start and was able to escape in the race. We will be working hard in practice on our race pace because Sepang is a circuit where set-up is crucial. I love the track, it’s long and wide and always has good grip which makes it a lot of fun to ride.”
Héctor Faubel:
“We are on an upward curve and that is very positive. We are amongst the frontrunners every week now and I just want to continue in the same way this weekend. I love Sepang, I set pole there in 2007 and I am sure that we won’t have the conditions we encountered at Phillip Island so I just want to go out and enjoy it. The first day is usually tough because we have come from the cold in Australia to unbearable heat but apart from that I think we all like Sepang as a circuit because it is big, wide and safe. The objective is to get back on the podium and, if possible, win the race.”
Adrián MartÃn:
“The bike worked perfectly in Australia. We had a few doubts about how to deal with the wind but I am sure we will have it working well again this weekend. I am looking forward to continuing with my objective of finishing in the top ten. We didn’t manage it in the last race because the conditions were a little strange but I know that I can step up my performance in the two remaining races. I showed in Australia that I can be in the top five and I hope Malaysia gives us the opportunity to put our disappointment from last Sunday behind us. I have confidence in the team and I know we can be fighting for a good result.”
Source: Aspar Media
