FIRST OUTING FOR THE NEW FEDERAL OIL TEAM GRESINI MOTO2 TEAM
The 2020 season has started a few days later than originally schedule for Team Federal Oil Gresini Moto2, who was forced to leave Jerez de la Frontera last week due to rain – and to return to Valencia for a two-day test which drew to a close yesterday.
It was an important shakedown for Edgar Pons and Nicolò Bulega aboard the Kalex machine #57 and #11, respectively two days to begin their familiarisation with the bike but especially with the team. Bulega, who ‘inherited’ Lowes’s team, completed more than 150 laps in two days while working on his race pace and searching for the best feeling with some new solutions brought by Kalex in these two days. Two crashes for him, probably due to a faulty front tyre.
For Pons – who is led by crew chief Massimo Biagini – this was a crucial first ride. The Spaniard finished with a personal-best lap-time of 1’35.7secs, working more on the electronics (power delivery and engine-brake mapping).
EDGAR PONS #57
“I’m very happy with the two days: it was crucial to get to know the bike as good as possible and to get to know the team, too. Everything is new to me, tyres included, so it was important to head into the winter break with clear ideas about 2020. I’ve tried many options of setup and electronics, we worked hard to adapt the bike to my riding style and now I will train hard in order to be ready for Jerez in February. I would like to thank the team for the great work done.”
NICOLO BULEGA #11
“In these first two days I must say I was really pleasantly surprised with how genuine and friendly all of the team members are. I felt home straight away. The first day was important to get to know each other’s way of work and our mission was to lap a lot and use as few new tyres as possible. In the second day we started with the new stuff brought by Kalex and already in the morning with used tyres I was able to set a good lap-time. With new tyres I lost the front at turn four: it was probably a faulty tyre. From then on I lost a little bit of confidence but it does matter, as we know what we have to work on.”
