Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS rider Jack Miller concluded an emotional Catalan Grand Prix in more than one way by obtaining tenth place, the best result of his MotoGP career.
Despite a very high track temperature, around 48 degrees, which caused the tires to deteriorate, Miller controlled the situation to achieve a very good race in front of nearly 100 spectators.
Tito Rabat showed great courage to collect his first points since the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin. Having undergone collarbone surgery just two weeks ago, the Spaniard managed to take fourteenth place by overtaking Michele Pirro on the last lap of the race.
This is the second time this year that Miller and Rabat have scored points together. A performance which motivates the duo all the more on the eve of an important day of testing, organized on the same Barcelona circuit, which should allow the team to continue to progress the Honda RC213V.
Jack Miller: 10th
“I'm very happy to finish in the points again, especially since I put up a good fight during the race. I had fun. I tried to save my tires because I knew that with the temperature they were going to suffer at the end of the race. My strategy paid off. I feel like I was really able to use the bike today. In Jerez I was too conservative with the tires, but today I managed well and was able to get the most out of the rear tire. Finishing in the top ten in MotoGP for the first time will give me confidence. My guys stayed behind me during this difficult first part of the season and I'm happy with this result for the team. I want to dedicate this first top ten to my friend Luis Salom who I will miss enormously. »
Tito Rabat: 14th
“I'm happy to finish in the points for my Grand Prix and I want to thank everyone who helped me race during these two weeks following my crash at Mugello. It was a physically difficult race because of the heat and I'm happy to have been able to complete all these kilometers to gain experience even if I wasn't one hundred percent. I didn't start very well, but I was able to regain a lot of positions by making good overtakes. I'm glad to have finished. This weekend was painful with the disappearance of Luis Salom and I really wanted to go to the end for him. I will now be able to concentrate on my convalescence between now and the next race in Assen. »
Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal
“After a very difficult and very emotional weekend, I am happy that Jack and Tito were able to pay their tribute to the memory of Luis Salom. As an independent team our goal is always to finish in the top ten and I'm happy that Jack achieved that today for the first time since his MotoGP debut. I hope this will give him confidence and allow him to repeat this performance more regularly. Tito also did an incredible job. Honestly, I wasn't sure if he could finish the race given the conditions. But he never gave up and he really deserves to finish in the points after showing such determination. »
