Espargaro, Rabat and Pons optimistic for rest of weekend despite mixed start

 In Moto2, News

The three riders of Pons 40 HP Tuenti finished the first day at Le Mans, legendary location of the French Grand Prix, with mixed feelings although all three know that the rain will most likely arrive tomorrow and then the practice sessions in the dry won’t be worth much. Pol Espargaró posted the sixth-fastest laptime, 0.5 seconds behind championship leader Marc Márquez, while Tito Rabat was 18th with a laptime 1.3 seconds slower than fastest rider Scott Redding and Axel Pons finished the day in 21st, 1.5 seconds off the fastest time. Rabat and Pons both had crashes without consequences and are still optimistic for the rest of the weekend.

6. POL ESPARGARÓ, 1.38.491 “I spent the entire first practice testing different configurations of the chassis, because I have many problems with traction on the rear tyre and lose a lot of time, especially in the second part of the circuit. Everything turned around dramatically when we put on the second type of tyres and slightly tweaked the suspension. The bike stopped moving around and it was much easier for me to get it into the corners and open the throttle, but at that moment it started to drizzle slightly and I needed a couple more laps to get closer to the front. I think to start with I am in a good position and my ideal laptime would have meant fourth position. In any case, the forecast says rain from tomorrow, so we have to focus on the wet setup and don’t make any mistakes which might lead to a crash.”

18. TITO RABAT, 1.39.179 “In the morning I had a very good feeling on the bike and I was satisfied, because we solved the problem on the front which gave me many headaches in Jerez and Estoril. In the afternoon we tested a tyre compound which didn’t work at all and we discarted that one quickly and when I went back out on track with a new one which suits this circuit best I couldn’t take advantage of it, because I crashed. Fortunately I didn’t hurt myself, but the accident kept me from getting closer to the top ten. I think I could have improved my time without problems, but with the cold asphalt and a slight drizzle starting to fall the front wheel went away and I crashed. Tomorrow it looks like we’ll ride in the wet, but I’m calm, because I’m convinced I can be competitive on any surface.”

21. AXEL PONS, 1.39.479 “I have a mixed feeling, one the one hand I’m happy about how we’ve started and on the other I’m sad, because I made a mistake and I crashed in the crucial moments of the practice. In Estoril we improved the setting of the bike and that higher level has allowed us to stick with the top 15 for a long time during the session. After the crash I continued calmly because I had to restore the confidence and some riders went ahead of me, so I’m left with my start to the Grand Prix and I am very eager ahead of the next to days although the forecast shows that rain is practically certain.”

Source: Pons Racing

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