Luis Salom and Maverick Viñales set the pace in Le Mans

The Pons HP 40 riders staged an extraordinary first day at the French GP and both occupy the provisional front row. With twenty minutes to go, Maverick Viñales was leading the timesheet but found himself overtaken by his teammate Luis Salom in the final minutes of the session.

Luis scored the provisional pole with a time of one tenth quicker than Viñales. Maverick finished in third place, and is therefore also – hypothetically – on front row.

Luis Salom – 1st place – 1.38.254
This was a very positive first day. I’ve been riding very fast on both, used and new, tyres and I feel very comfortable on the bike. The pace is very good and that’s most important with view of the race. We have to keep working because I believe there is still room for a little more improvement. We’ll continue like this tomorrow, always thinking about the race.

Maverick Viñales – 3rd place – 1.38.365
I’m happy with the work we’ve done today. We’re riding fast, setting fast laps. Tomorrow we have to continue the work with the tyres and make sure we find a setting that will keep them in good condition for the whole race. I like this track, and to be able to ride in the conditions we have is fantastic.

Source: Pons Racing