A SUNDAY TO FORGET
The Indonesian GP did not turn out the way Team QJMOTOR Gresini Racing was expecting after Filip Salač’s front-row start. The Czech rider, however, struggled from the start of the race as he lost several positions during lap one and dropped all the way down to 16th on lap two, when he crashed out of the encounter after a coming together with Ogura.
It was a race to forget also for Jeremy Alcoba, who lined up on row five: he was first involved in a race incident but was able to keep his bike upright, but then he was given a double long-lap penalty which cost him plenty of positions. He was twentieth at the line and now eager to make amends next week already in Australia, at Phillip Island.
20th – JEREMY ALCOBA #52
“It was a weekend of ups and downs: we worked really well, and we were expecting a good race pace. Then on the first corner Escrig did a borderline maneuver which forced me to pick the bike up to avoid him and then Lopez hit me. Race direction decided to unfairly penalize me with two long-lap penalties which cost me many positions and the extra motivation to fight with the group. The pace was not bad and if I was a little bit closer to the front we could have battled for a good result; instead, we lost another weekend due to a bad decision from race direction. We’ll make amends in Australia.”
DNF – FILIP SALAČ #12
“This wasn’t the Sunday we were expecting after yesterday’s good qualifying. I couldn’t get a good start, then due to a couple of coming togethers on lap one I lost more positions, but it was my fault because I left the door open, and I was wide. Then on lap two another rider hit me and I crashed. An unfortunate day, but now we’re leaving for Australia with even bigger motivation: last year we were fighting for the podium and this year I want to get on it. See you there!”
