| MotoGP World Championship 2010. Grand Prix of Catalunya. Moto2 Preview. |
GP Catalunya, Moto2: First triple-header of 2010 concludes at Montmeló
Mapfre Aspar pair look to continue front-running form from last two races in Catalunya.
Mapfre Aspar Team (July, 1st 2010).- For the second week in succession the MotoGP paddock faced a race against time to pack up, hit the road and move countries within a matter of days as the series moves on from Assen to Catalunya for the second of four Spanish rounds this season. The third race in as many weekends takes the inaugural Moto2 World Championship another step closer to the halfway stage and the main title contenders are beginning to emerge.
The Mapfre Aspar Team’s two riders have made an impressive start to the season and their form has picked up notably over the past two rounds, with Julián Simon particularly impressive with third place at Silverstone and sixth at Assen. The Spaniard currently lies fifth in the championship and is now targeting a first win of the season at a circuit where he was denied victory only by a moment of cruel misjudgement on the final lap last year. Mike Di Meglio kick-started his season at Silverstone, finally unlocking some of the secrets of riding a four-stroke and improving his pace with every outing. Seventh in that race and eighth at Assen, the Frenchman’s next target is a first podium in Moto2.
Julián Simón
"Montmeló is a circuit I like a lot and I hope we can further perfect the set-up of my Suter machine there. At Assen I struggled to follow the pace of the top guys but we managed to stay with them in the race and I am sure that everything will be more straightforward from Friday in Barcelona and we’ll find the right setting for the race. I am highly motivated to race at home again after a podium at Silverstone and another good result at Assen, so I hope I can be back on the podium and move up in the championship. I was really quick at this track in the 125cc class so I hope I can do the same in Moto2. We’ll have to keep an eye on the weather – I’m sure it will be pretty hot and that will have an effect on the performance of the bikes and the riders."
Mike Di Meglio
"Little by little I am getting up to speed in this new category and I am happy. Despite losing our way a little over the first couple of races I have found a way forward and along with the team we have made some good steps. We’re finding out that you have to start from scratch at every track because everything is new and you have to find your reference points at each circuit. I have more or less found the key to riding a four-stroke and after satisfactory results in the last two races I am very motivated about racing in Barcelona – I just want to keep improving in the same way. It is not unthinkable that if we keep progressing in this manner we can be on the podium soon. We can’t afford to switch off because all the other riders are improving too and every session is close, but I am convinced that all the hard work will give us something to smile about soon."
Source:
Mapfre Aspar Team