Two crashes and brake problem leave Bautista with plenty of work to do after first day

It proved to be an unhappy first day at the Italian Grand Prix for Alvaro Bautista today, the Spaniard running off track in the morning due to a technical problem and then crashing in the afternoon, putting the skids under any progress at Mugello.

Alvaro Bautista (11th 1’49”208) “Today was a day to forget, unfortunately not a good one for us. This morning I had a problem with the brakes and ran straight into turn one, then crashed in the gravel. We didn’t manage to solve the problem and I wasn’t able to ride as I want. In the afternoon we worked on the set-up, but I crashed almost straight away, losing the front with no warning. I changed onto the other bike, but the brake problem hadn’t been fixed and I was really struggling under braking. We changed the disc and pads and managed to put some decent laps together at the end on used tyres. But we have a lot of work to do tomorrow to improve my confidence and my position.”

Fausto Gresini “It has been a tough first day and the two crashes have made life difficult. It wasn’t easy for Alvaro, but I think with some changes tomorrow can be a different story and he will be back up where he belongs.”

Source: Gresini Racing Press Release