Simon battles to top ten finish in final race of the season
Wet races are always something of a lottery, but a dry race with constant rain is an even trickier challenge for riders. The Moto2 Valencia GP experienced such conditions today. The title had already been clinched by Stefan Bradl, but there was still one last race win for which to fight. Aegerter started out strong, as did Takahashi, and it was the Japanese rider who led on lap five when he crashed out of the race. Michele Pirro assumed the lead and held on until the end, with Kallio and Aegerter completing the pódium in the final Moto2 race of the season.
Julián Simón was not presented with the ideal conditions in which to make his race return at the Valencia GP, and he was still recovering from leg injury that has blighted his season. The MAPFRE Aspar rider ended the first lap in sixteenth place, and after a varied spell he managed to eventually finish tenth.
Jordi Torres and Elena Rosell were also amongst the finishers at the Ricardo Tormo circuit, completing the 27-lap contest. The former had trouble finding an appropriate pace, and placed eighteenth, whilst Rosell added to her learning experience in twenty-fifth.
10th Julián Simón: “The race was one of the hardest of my career, as I had to fight against a wet track and little grip. I had to focus very hard on my riding in order to avoid crashing. I had some ups and downs in the race, but my objective was to reach the chequered flag and maybe get some points. After so many races out, I don’t think that I was at my best today, because I would have liked to have finished higher up the order. I started well but lost positions, but then at the end I gained places –it was an odd race. This season has been a tough one for me, but my team have worked as fantastically as always and I only have good things to say about the MAPFRE Aspar Team for all their support. I want to congratulate Nico for his superb season, and I am really happy for him.”
18th Jordi Torres: “The track conditions were really treacherous and I definitely had a hard time finding the rhythm of the race. It was hard to understand what the tyres were capable of in such a strange situation, and all these factors combined to make me perhaps a little too prudent today. We should be happy just to have finished this one, because it was easy to crash out there today. I gradually found references and a consistent pace, but it was too late and I was unable to move up positions. I learn a lot from every race that I finish, and the team have helped me enormously –much of my learning has been down to the MAPFRE Aspar Team this season. I want to thank the team for all their efforts this year; it has been one of the best spells of my career. Congratulations to Nico as well for his 125cc title.”
25th Elena Rosell: “The race was rather strange, because it started spitting with rain when we were on the grid. It was declared a dry race, but it never stopped raining. In any case, the track never got fully wet and was more humid than anything. That made it hard to make reference points, and also it was difficult to keep focused. In the end I was able to find a good pace and was able to battle with some experienced World Championship riders, and that was definitely a positive to take from this race. The final couple of laps were the toughest, because the rain became heavier and it was like riding on ice. The aim was to finish the race, and we did that. We did a great job all weekend and I made a lot of progress. I want to congratulate Nico for a great season and a deserved World Championship title.”
Source: Team Aspar
