Simón happy to be competitive again despite losing out after collisions with De Angelis

A great race of Julián Simón who finished eighth at Estoril and returns to fight among the fastest, confirming his recovery after a difficult start to the season. Starting from the third row of the grid, Julián got away well, gaining a few positions in the first corners, but a touch with De Angelis in the fourth turn of the first lap saw him passed by a large group and relegated to 13th position. From then on, Julián showed a great pace which allowed him to keep moving up the order until he joined the group behind the leaders. Without anyone giving up in the group, Simón placed himself ahead of Kallio, Elias and De Angelis in sixth place. In the final lap, after several passes, another touch with De Angelis in the chicane relegated him to a finish in 8th position.

Although Julián Simón and his team aspire and are able to be regularly in the group fighting for podium positions, there’s no doubt that the race in Estoril means a step forward and the progression of Julián to be in the place he deserves.

60 Julián Simón (8º, +21.504): “After how tough the first two races have been, today’s can be considered a good result. I was confident for a good start and having chances to be where Iannone or Zarco were – in fact I’ve done well – but a touch with De Angelis in the first lap saw these chances disappear. But I am satisfied. I fought, I came back, I passed several riders and I even – for the first time this season – had fun. Towards the end of the race I started having problems in some sectors to maintain the pace and it was hard, but sixth place was on my fingertips. Unfortunately in the chicane I touched again with the Italian and I lost two positions. But despite that, I am very happy. The team and I get better accustomed to the bike every day. Now we go to Le Mans which I like a lot and I think from now on everything will be better.”

Source: Avintia Racing