Tony Arbolino's Moto2 Thailand Grand Prix could have taken a completely different turn on Friday morning when he was hit in the pit lane by one of his rivals. However, the Italian gritted his teeth, pushed the pain aside to get back into the game and take the lead.
Tony Arbolino showed an example of determination this morning in Thailand. Hit by Zonta van der Goorbergh in the pit lane, while trying to reach his garage in the middle of the FP, the Italian collapsed in pain, leaving his bike across the track. The red flag was waved, and the Marc VDS rider did not return to the track, visibly suffering from pain in his left leg.
The incident was reminiscent of the one involving Somkiat Chantra and Fermin Aldeguer in Indonesia, and the worst was to be imagined for the end of the season for the transalpine driver.
After a trip to the local hospital for checks on his left ankle, Arbolino was however declared fit to continue the GP. It was therefore armed with crutches that the n°14 joined the paddocks, not knowing how to put his foot on the ground. A good dose of discomfort, which did not impact the 24-year-old driver too much, who heroically took part in P1 in the afternoon.
Completing 13 laps, in pain, the main interested party saw his 11th place propel him to 2nd place in the general table, just two tenths behind the very fit Aron Canet. A ranking that he managed to maintain before the checkered flag, to offer himself a provisional place in Q2.
While Tony was given a three-place grid penalty for Sunday's Moto3 race, as stewards ruled he should not have pushed his bike into the pitlane entrance after his crash at Turn 2, there is no doubt that he will remain a formidable opponent as long as the sessions are all about setting a fast time. For the race, things are likely to get more complicated.
"It's a shame what happened today, he confides at the end of a trying day. It was something we could have avoided, but at the same time I couldn't control the incident at the pit entrance. Anyway, that's how it is. Luckily I felt good on the bike and that helped me to be fast.
We set a good time in the afternoon, He continues. We will continue. I am 100% sure that we will suffer physically on Sunday. But that is the scenario we are in. Injuries are part of the game and sometimes you have to grit your teeth and give it your all. That is what we will do tomorrow as we push for a good qualifying position. I am sure to be up there with the fastest guys!”
©Elf Marc VDS Racing Team
