Tito Rabat sets hot pace in Arctic Austria

Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS riders Jack Miller and Tito Rabat enjoyed an encouraging start to the Austrian MotoGP round today, despite unseasonably cold conditions at Spielberg.

Ambient temperature for this morning’s FP1 didn’t even reach double figures, while track temperature was an incredibly cool 14 degrees for the opening 45-minute session.

Despite the chilly conditions, Miller and Rabat were able to put in vital laps on two brand new Michelin rear tyres that were available today. The new tyres were designed based on information given to Michelin at the conclusion of a successful two-day test session at the super-fast and technical Spielberg track last month.

Conditions were significantly hotter for the test, but Miller and Rabat were still positive about the performance of the new rubber in today’s two practice sessions, which saw them finish 14th and 15th respectively on combined times.

Rabat was just one place behind his teammate and he was delighted that the sharp drop in temperature did not alter his increased confidence in the front-end of his Honda RC213V package, which he improved after extensive work during the recent Spielberg test.

Tito Rabat: 15th – 1’25.770
“The track is very different compared to the test we did here last month and it is much, much colder. I am still happy because I have a good feeling with the front-end and this is the first time this has happened in the entire season in cold conditions. I think the biggest improvement I need to find is managing the wheelie coming out of the first corner. It is a very aggressive acceleration point and I can improve in that area. Today was one of the best opening days I’ve had this season, so hopefully in warmer conditions I can build on this performance tomorrow.”

Source – Team Estrella Galicia