TEAM KÖMMERLING GRESINI MAKES MOTO3 DEBUT AT JEREZ
In the last two days, the Jerez Circuit was a kind of Team Gresini precinct: along with former riders of the team Fabio Di Giannantonio and Jorge Navarro, Gabriel Rodrigo and Riccardo Rossi made their debut as the 2019 line-up of Team Kömmerling Gresini Moto3.
The two-day Andalusian test was heavily affected by adverse weather conditions, which left the team with only one “useful” session this afternoon – despite there were still some damp patches on track – which allowed the two riders to complete some laps aboard their Honda NSF250RW machines.
It was an important chance for a shakedown for both riders, especially for Rodrigo who spent the last few seasons aboard KTM machinery. The young Argentine completed almost 30 laps, with a best time of 1’48.823secs and a good feeling with the bike of the team led by Massimo Capanna.
Riccardo Rossi was without a doubt the most active rider on track. The 16-year-old from Genova, who is supported by crew chief Ivano Mancurti, has ended the day with 54 laps under his belt – after lapping also yesterday in wet conditions – and with a best lap of 1’51.484.
Both Rossi and Rodrigo began their familiarisation with the bike with Martin and Di Giannantonio’s settings, while focusing on chassis and engine brake. Next on the calendar is a two-day test at Valencia in less than a week’s time (27-28 November).
GABRIEL RODRIGO #19
“Today we were finally able to ride a little, as yesterday the track was never in the right conditions. The first feeling with the bike and the team is truly incredible. They made me feel part of the family straight away, and the bike is fantastic: the feeling with the front-end is great and I feel like I can push as hard as I can and improve lap after lap. I can’t wait to try it again in Valencia…”
RICCARDO ROSSI #54
“I’m happy with the feeling with team and bike. This Honda is very different to the bike I used in the Italian championship (CIV) and I had to – and will still need to – change my riding style, but I think that step by step we will get there. Track conditions surely didn’t help as it was never fully dry, but we did well on the wet. It was a good first outing.”
