Elias not happy with race result, Terol scores first Moto2 points
The Moto2 race started in adverse conditions at the French GP and the track only became more difficult before the end. Many riders fell when chasing the victory and points -even the most experienced competitors on the grid. The race was eventually won by Thomas Luthi, after he best managed a wet track at Le Mans.
MAPFRE ASPAR rider Toni Elias started the race from tenth, and had moved up a position by the end of the first lap. However, difficulties with the rear of his bike meant that the former Moto2 World Champion could not get comfortable, and was left behind by the group ahead on the final sector. Elias narrowly avoided a crash on numerous occasions, but was able to bring his bike home in 12th position.
Nico Terol also claimed points -his first in the Moto2 class. The reigning 125cc World Champion had qualified in 17th, and decided to take things cautiously in the early going. His prudence allowed him to complete the race, although he would have liked to have done even better and would have preferred a dry contest.
The next round of the Moto2 World Championship is a home race for both riders: The Catalan GP at Montmeló. The duo are hoping for a dry weekend on June 3rd.
12th Toni Elias: “I’m not happy. I didn’t have rear grip, right from the start. I had scare after scare and everyone else was opening the throttle before me. I lost them gradually, as they were taking half a second off me per lap. I almost ran over De Angelis when he fell in front of me, and from then on I lost touch with the group. In any case, we take some points away and keep on adding them to our tally. There were places on track where I was faster than others, but on the final sector they were just leaving me behind when they got on the gas. This was my 200th GP, but we celebrated this as a team yesterday. Today it was just a number. The most important thing is to keep on going and to focus on my home race at Montmeló. We have noted what didn’t work in the wet this time around, in order to improve for next time, but I hope that there are no more wet races. I should maybe be going to Montserrat this week, to get some luck there.”
14th Nico Terol: “Today the conditions were too difficult to be riding a bike, at a circuit where you slide around a lot. I felt very confident in the dry, with sixth in one of the weekend practice sessions, and I started off well in the wet today. However, I was lacking pace and I think that I should have been aiming for the top ten. In any case, at the end of the day I’ve picked up my first Moto2 points, which is a positive. The next race is at the Circuit de Catalunya, which is a track that I love.”
Source: Aspar Team
