Espargaro takes over at the front as Rabat and Pons make good steps forward in Jerez test
The third day of the second IRTA test at the Spanish circuit in Jerez de la Frontera confirmed the excellent form of the Tuenti HP 40 team at the moment.
Pol Espargaró finished the day in first position and as the only rider going quicker than 1’43 while Tito Rabat took sixth place and Axel Pons posted the tenth-fastest laptime. Only half a day of testing tomorrow is left and the three riders are ready to start the 2013 Moto2 Championship which will kick off on April 7th in Qatar with the title as the main goal for the team.
1. POL ESPARGARÓ, 1.42.636 “This is a much longer and varied preseason test than we’re used to, with four days on track and big weather changes, I couldn’t ride yesterday because of the rain. We’ve been working on the setting of the bike and in the end I could manage a laptime of 1.42’6, very close to my best lap from the last time we were in Jerez. I’ve also done several laps in the 1.42s when no other rider got under 1.43.
I think we’re prepared to start the championship, but we also have to work hard, because when we have a small problem it can cost us leading the championship. Simón, Terol, Redding and Tito seem to be the strongest so far, later Lüthi will return, but surely the list of rivals will get longer when we start racing for real. I can’t wait to finish the preseason and start competing.”
6. TITO RABAT, 1.43.534 “I struggled today to feel comfortable on the bike and go fast like on Monday. Preseason is like this and it’s a good time to go and find solutions for problems which will present themselves during the season and which we have to solve in little time. After two months of testing I just can’t wait to be in Qatar already and start racing which after all is what all riders love. I’m satisfied with how the winter has gone and I think I have the opportunity this year to establish myself as a regular points scorer and to fight for good results in every race.”
10. AXEL PONS, 1.43.861 “I can make a very positive evaluation of how the preseason has gone, the first one for me in the world championship without any setbacks and where I could work at every circuit in various conditions and searching for the best bike setup at all times. Last year I finished fighting regularly close to tenth place and now I want more, as could be seen in most of the sessions. I want to be in the Top 10 regularly, get close to the Top 5 and with the mindset of getting on the podium.”
Source: Pons Racing Press Release
