Viñales helps JHK T-Shirt LaGlisse team begin 2013 on top form
The first IRTA tests of the new season saw the riders of the JHK T-Shirt LaGlisse team, Maverick Viñales and Ana Carrasco, as protagonists.
On his factory KTM the rider from Roses finished fastest on each of the three test days, while improving the circuit record by almost 2 seconds.
But Viñales knows that he can’t relax because the competition is going to be great this season and the majority of bikes on the Moto3 grid will be KTMs.
So Mack didn’t rest on his laurels and every time he had to improve the time he did.
Ana Carrasco also showed an excellent performance, improving every time she got on her bike. The young rider from Cehegín finished the tests with a time below last year’s pole position time and quicker than many riders with much more experience in the championship.
Next week, the JHK T-Shirt LaGlisse team will travel to Jerez where they’ll continue the pre-season preparation with the rest of the Moto3 riders.
Maverick Viñales 1’39”299 (247 laps)
The test went very well because we worked hard and every day we improved a little more. This is already the 3rd test with the team and the KTM, and every time we feel more comfortable. The most important thing is that we didn’t fail to improve and that everything is moving in the right direction, but we also have to keep in mind that this year there will be more rivals and that the competition is going to be very strong. I still have a lot to do to have the bike 100% right but for now we’re adapting well. Next week in Jerez we have to continue working on the bike and the tyres, to continue improving.
Ana Carrasco 1’40”946 (209 laps)
I’m honestly very happy because we achieved a good time and each day we could get into the top 15. I believe, for the first practice together with the riders I will compete against, that’s very good. I did not expect to do so well when we got here, but we have to continue working to stay in this position. Maverick was really fast, but if we continue to work like this, we’ll be a little closer each time, and it goes without saying that having the help and support of the fastest rider in the category is a big help. I hope next week in Jerez I can continue to learn.
Jaime Fdez-Avilés (Team Owner)
I’m happy. We’ve got the best team to be fighting for the championship and the results speak for themselves. We have to keep our feet on the ground, it won’t be easy and people’s expectations are high, and there are great teams who run in multiple championships. I believe we’ve done a great job. With Maverick we’ve got the fastest rider and with Ana a very promising young rider who surprised me greatly at a mere 15 years of age. I’d like to thank KTM and JHK T-Shirt because without their support all this would not be possible. Next for us is Jerez where I hope we’ll be able to continue in the same way.
Source: Team JHK T-Shirt LaGlisse Press Release
