Espargaro, Rabat and Pons leave Jerez more than satisfied with results
Pons 40 HP Tuenti rider Pol Espargaró improved his personal best at the Jerez circuit by four tenth and finished the IRTA test with big expectations. Tito Rabat also excelled with a laptime in the 1.42s and Axel Pons steadily progressed to clock a laptime of 1.43.5.
The three riders of the Pons 40 HP Tuenti team finished the second IRTA test with very positive feelings and progressed further with the setup of their Pons Kalex 2012 bikes. Pol Espargaró, Tito Rabat and Axel Pons now have some days of physical preparation ahead of them before they return to Jerez for the three final days of testing of the preseason ahead of the start of the championship in Qatar on April 8th.
POL ESPARGARÓ, 1.42.4 (58 laps)
“We improved the feeling with the bike, after a difficult day like yesterday, and today I went very fast from the first laps. I improved my laptime halfway through and showed a consistent pace in the 1.42s. I’ve also had a few mishaps without consequences, one in the first corner and another in the last one, but for me it’s something normal when you’re searching for the limits on a new bike. A year ago, on my first test on a four-stroke Moto2, I couldn’t get below 1.45 and twelve months later it’s incredible for me to do laps in the 1.42s. I think we are on a good way, I have a lot of confidence and Santi Mulero and the whole technical team helped me tremendously and we’re making progress every time I get on the bike. Now we have a few days of training without the bikes and I can’t wait to return to Jerez for the second IRTA test and travel to Qatar for the first race of the 2012 season.”
TITO RABAT, 1.42.8 8 (67 laps)
“I’m very happy to finish this test at Jerez having managed a time in the 1.42s, a laptime which I’ve never managed before at this circuit. During the three days I’ve gained confidence on the bike and refined the setting, but until today we couldn’t get the bike stable on the front in the fast corners. Eventually we found the key and I hope to confirm this at the next IRTA test, the last one before the start of the season, in Jerez. The team helped me a lot and I want to thank them for their support, because they are an important part of how well things are going for me.”
AXEL PONS, 1.43.5 (70 laps)
“I’ve managed to ride in the 1,43s and this is satisfactory after the difficulties we had with the setup. In the end I think we are on a good way and I hope to confirm this at the end of March when we return to Jerez, where I don’t have to focus so much on the bike and can concentrate on improving my riding and on how to find some tenths in a lap. We are working well and little by little I come closer to my teammates who are a step ahead at the moment and give me references which can be very helpful.”
SITO PONS, Team Manager: “The preseason has been very fruitful for the team, with Pol and Tito always among the five fastest and demonstrating the enormous potential of the Pons Kalex and the entire technical team. This Moto2 championship promises to be exciting and I’m convinced we’ll be one of the key players.”
Source: Pons Racing
