Improved front suspension feeling gives Bautista confidence to push for second row start

Team San Carlo Honda Gresini rider Alvaro Bautista made progress on the second day of action at Motegi to find improved confidence with the front end of his Honda RC213V and qualify for the second row of the grid for tomorrow’s race.

The team did a great job today and will try to take another step forward in the warm-up, which would surely give Alvaro a chance of fighting for the podium.

Alvaro Bautista (5th 1’45”481) “I think we have taken a good step forward today, because we made a couple of changes that helped the feeling with the front suspension even though it is not 100%. Now I have more confidence and I was able to push harder from the start and then have fun this afternoon. We have taken a step forward compared to Aragon and I am confident for tomorrow, because our pace is consistent. The only doubt I have is about the tyre life, but we’ll just try to get a good start and hang on to the guys at the front. I have to thank the guys in the team, because they have worked hard along with Showa to put me in a position to show my true potential.”

Fausto Gresini “That was an extremely good session for Alvaro who showed good race pace. We were a little unlucky in qualifying, because he was held back by a couple of people crashing and some slower riders, but a second row start is good and I am happy with it.”

Source: Gresini Racing Press Release