Espargaro working hard to improve grip issues and expecting big improvement

The MotoGP class took a leading role at the Losail Circuit tonight, opening the track action with the first of their two free practice sessions scheduled for the evening, with the two minor categories enjoying just one each. Whilst the wind and surface dust proved no obstacle to the riders improving on their times from last night the pace is still some way off track records as the 1000cc bikes gradually overcome their 800cc predecessors. Cal Crutchlow looked to have stolen a surprise top spot in the closing moments of the session but Jorge Lorenzo produced a late lap and the race looks certain to be a battle between the Spaniard and yesterday’s pacesetter Casey Stoner.

POWER ELECTRONICS Aspar riders Randy De Puniet – again the fastest CRT rider on track – and Aleix Espargaró worked hard to find front and rear stability after struggling somewhat yesterday. De Puniet suffered a crash in turn seven as the chequered flag beckoned in the second session, which limited him to thirteenth place, some three seconds off the fastest time of the night. Espargaró made notable progress with his set-up and clocked a 1’59.169 in the second session to end the evening 17th fastest.

17th Aleix Espargaró 1.59.169 (27 laps): “We have improved the feeling a little from yesterday but we are still some way off where we want to be. We have worked hard tonight over the two sessions to improve some of the problems we had yesterday and we are on the right track now, so we need to work hard to stay on it. We need more grip in the fast sections and even though we took a step forward in this aspect tonight we can’t afford to stop working on it. I expected to be higher up at this stage but at the end of the day it is a long race and we need to work hard. If we can make the same strides tomorrow that we made today we’ll be ready for the race.”

Source: Aspar Team