CHALLENGING QUALIFYING AT PHILLIP ISLAND FOR TEAM QJMOTOR GRESINI MOTO2
Today was not the type of Saturday Team QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2 expected with Filip Salač and Jeremy Alcoba on the back foot during the whole day, in all ways similar to what happened the day before.
In what has been so far the worst weekend for the Czech rider in this 2023 season, the #12 still managed to get in Q2, but then finished 18th. The reward is too little compared to his expectations, and the race tomorrow will be a complex one, also due to the weather conditions expected to be close to extreme.
Heading row seven, one position behind Salač, will be Jeremy Alcoba. His Q1 time would have been competitive in the second session, but traffic on the track left him without the opportunity to do so. A comeback is in the cards for him, too.
18th – FILIP SALAC #12 (1’33.628s)
“This morning the feeling was very little, then in Q1 things improved, while in Q2 we were back in the same position as in the morning. I really don’t know what happened, we need to analyse this day and try to be ready for tomorrow. The rear-end grip is still the key and we’re working on it.”
19th – JEREMY ALCOBA #52 (1’33.297s)
“After FP3 I was sure I could do a good lap-time, even if riding by myself. I’m always comfortable riding on this track and had a good feeling with the bike. We thought we could get into Q2, but unfortunately, we encountered traffic and a few slower riders in the racing line prevented me to achieve the goal. The pace is not too bad and we need to fine-tune some details, but we can do a good race.”