Best qualifying of the season for Moncayo and Faubel
After enjoying three dry free practice sessions here at Le Mans despite cool conditions and heavy clouds the teams and riders finally ran out of luck this afternoon as the heavens opened for qualifying. BANKIA Aspar riders Hector Faubel and Alberto Moncayo continued working in different directions with the set-up of their machines but thankfully both routes led them closer to the front of the pack as they qualified as the highest Kalex-KTM machines on the grid for the first time this season on the third row.
7th Alberto Moncayo (1.57.846, +1.801s, 18 laps): “We managed to put some things right with the bike this morning, altering the angle of the handlebars which helped me out on the straights and in the direction changes. We also changed the angle of the front fork to give us a bit more stability and already the Kalex feels less edgy so I am quite happy. I took things carefully in the wet this afternoon and we were running third with just a couple of minutes left, with a decent pace lapping on my own. Whether it is wet or dry tomorrow I will give my best and hopefully we can make the most of a third row start.”
8th Héctor Faubel (1.57.899, +2.034s, 17 laps): “After trying different things all weekend and working in particular on the engine braking I felt very comfortable in the wet and I was able to run at the front. As the track tried a lost a few positions but I am optimistic. The new engine braking setting makes a big difference in the dry and even though it is difficult to make conclusions with just forty minutes of track time I am happy that this is the way forward. To be honest I feel better in the wet at the moment so if it rains tomorrow then all the better for me.”
Source: Aspar Team