LOSAIL TEST IS OVER, NOW ALL EYES ARE ON 2020 SEASON OPENER
Team Kömmerling Gresini Moto3 have wrapped up their preseason with excellent feelings at the end of a Losail test which was without a doubt a positive one for both standard bearers of the team.
Gabri Rodrigo can finally leave the horrible start to the previous season behind – as in 2019 the Argentine suffered a collarbone injury in the Qatar tests – and look forward to the opening round of the season – which takes place at the Losail International Circuit in less than seven days.
The Argentine rider, who finished the three-day test with a personal best lap-time of 2’05.487secs, did a lot work on the longer run as he found some excellent settings for the race and put together an impressive race simulation. His best time – which was recorded on Saturday during the fifth overall session – proved that time attack was never the goal of the test. Only one negative note to report for Rodrigo, who crashed unhurt at turn 11 with 20 minutes left in the tests.
Jeremy Alcoba also did very well, especially for being his first experience at the Qatari track – but this is not a news since what he did last year at Silverstone. The Catalan rider had a lot to learn in such different weather conditions as he tried different tyre options looking for the best grip. His 15thquickest time, which was very close to the top-ten, bodes well for the rider #52, who will try to race with the leaders this weekend already.
The 2020 Moto3 World Championship season will begin on March 6that 11:50 local time (GMT +3)
6thGABRI RODRIGO #2 – 2’05.487
“I must say it has been an absolutely positive test, especially because we solved some issues with the race pace. These arose when we started to try extended long runs, but we did face them and ultimately solved them. I was able to do a real race simulation on 2/3 race distance and I finished with half a second margin over the overall time of last year’s winner. We didn’t really pay attention to the time attack and, despite that, we have never been too far from the top of the timesheets. We’re aware that the Moto3 class will have many protagonists as usual. Among them there will be Arbolino and Arenas, whom we know well already; I think Masia will also di well with the Honda but also Ogura, Garcia… Many potential race winners, but we want to be with them in every race.”
15thJEREMY ALCOBA #52 – 2`06.211
“The process of getting to know the circuit went really well, even though at the beginning I was a bit lost and couldn’t recognise the corners! We lapped so much and already from day one we were already among the best. Almost every rider on the track went for the quick-lap attempt, while we mostly got ready for the first race – and worked on the race pace. Temperatures and wind change very often, so the goal was to find the best rear grip and tyre choice ahead of the next race weekend. I’m generally happy: we are not far from the leaders on the quick-lap and the race pace makes us confident.”
