FIRST HOME GP OF 2019 FOR TEAM KÖMMERLING GRESINI MOTO3
Everything is set for the home debut of Team Kömmerling Gresini Moto3 with Gabriel Rodrigo and Riccardo Rossi that will get on track for the Grand Prix of Italy from 9:00 local time (GMT+2) this Friday.
The Faenza-based team experienced an up-and-down weekend last time out in Le Mans, with a narrowly-missed podium by the Argentine and a crash suffered by Rossi despite a good race performance. Between then and now there was also a one-day test in Catalunya – which was very important in order to get ready for the legendary Mugello circuit.
Last year, Rodrigo was fourth aboard a KTM in a race that saw Team Gresini among the protagonists, while Rossi won there with the Gresini Racing Junion in Italy’s CIV championship. This is a circuit that both standard bearers of Team Kömmerling Gresini Moto3 and one where the crowd plays a huge supporting role in boosting the spirits of home riders and teams.
GABRI RODRIGO #19
“The test was very positive: we didn’t lap much, but we tried some interesting things with the goal to improve in the second half of the race with used tyres. I now know my bike better when it starts sliding, and I’m sure these adjustments will help for the upcoming races. I was also very fast because I got close to last year’s pole position times and I did it while riding on my own. Overall things are quite positive and now we head to Mugello with the will to make another step forward compared to France.”
RICCARDO ROSSI #54
“The Montmeló tests have been useful up to a point given the rain that forced us back to the pits for a while. I must say that, after the crash at Le Mans, it was important to find some confidence back, especially as the Catalunya circuit shares many similarities to Mugello. We tried some set-up changes which will be very useful this weekend in Italy.”