By finishing second in the Moto2 GP of the Americas, on the COTA circuit, near Austin (Texas), Thomas Lüthi (carXpert Interwetten) scored the fiftieth podium of his formidable career. A series that began fourteen years ago, on a sunny Sunday in June 2003, when we discovered him on the second step of the podium in the 125 cc Catalan GP, narrowly beaten (less than 3 tenths) by a certain Dani Pedrosa , also still present (2rd in the MotoGP race in Texas).
Starting from the second row of the starting grid, the Swiss driver lost a few places in the first meters, before finding his rhythm and overtaking all his opponents... except the Italian Franco Morbidelli, who won his third GP of the season. Second, a third time on the podium in 2017, Lüthi remains admirably placed in ambush in the world championship rankings, while the Continental Circus will return to the continent in two weeks, in Jerez de la Frontera. Determined to fight for new world points, Zurich's Jesko Raffin (Garage Plus Interwetten) unfortunately lost all his chances in the first round, when he had to stop after the collision which eliminated Baldassari and Hernandez; leaving dead last, he came back to 21st place, setting the times which proved that he had his place in the top 15. Three podiums in three races, we can imagine that the boss of the double Swiss structure, Frédéric Corminboeuf, is satisfied with this start to the championship: “Another very solid race from Tom, once again among the top three. This start to the season proves that even with such great experience, a driver can still progress. He has changed quite a few things in his way of approaching the race and his collaboration with his technical chief Gilles Bigot makes the difference. Here are two circuits in a row where it was said that Tom was not comfortable, and he got on the podium both times, as he did in Qatar. He is also perfectly fit physically, which is an important asset over the course of the championship. Today, Jesko was not helped by luck: he was determined to get the points, his start was good, but he found himself completely blocked when two of his opponents collided. He left behind everyone, he came back, but fifteenth place was too far away with such a starting handicap; that said, he confirmed at the start of the season that he had reached a new milestone and I am sure that in the first full weekend on his part – when he will be present in the right rhythm at each of the test sessions and in racing - he can do very good things for us.”
They said…
Thomas Lüthi (carXpert Interwetten, 2nd):
“I am very happy with this podium, which I would like to dedicate to my technical chief Gilles Bigot, who managed with his guys to give me, this morning in warm-up, a bike with which I was able to ride very relaxed in race. I certainly lost a few places at the start, then I got back to the leading group. I was even surprised, when I found myself in second position, to see that I was catching up with Morbidelli, before I made a few small mistakes and Franco took me down. In recent years I have often suffered physically on this circuit, which is the most demanding for my arm injured during my testing accident in February 2013; However, the work we did this winter with my physical trainer bore fruit. Morbidelli was excellent again this weekend, but I'm not going to let him win every race, I'm more determined than ever to have my share of the cake and we're going to do what's necessary for that. When? There are certainly circuits where I have already won several times, like Le Mans, but my goal is to seek victory every weekend, not in one place rather than another.
Jesko Raffin (Garage Plus Interwetten, 21st):
“It’s obviously frustrating. I had a good start, I was able to gain several places, but I found myself tangled in Hernandez's bike during his collision with Baldassari; there was no other option for me than to get off the track. I started last, so I rode at a good pace which should have allowed me to stay in the good group. But with the time lost, I couldn't hope for better than this disappointing 21st place. The result is bad, but we learned a lot this weekend and I’m looking forward to Jerez.”
World Championship (3/18): 1. Morbidelli, 75 points; 2. Lüthi (carXpert Interwetten), 56; 3. Oliveira, 43; 4. Nakagami, 32; 5. Virgo, 25; 6. A. Marquez, 24; 7. Baldassari (ITA, Kalex), 21; 8.Marini, 20; 9. Corsi, 19; 10. Aegerter, 18. Then: 18. Raffin (Garage Plus Interwetten), 5. 22 classified.Austin/COTA (USA). GP of the Americas Moto2: 1. Morbidelli (ITA, Kalex), 19 laps, 41'20.078 (152.000 km/h); 2. Lüthi (SWI, Kalex, carXpert Interwetten), at 2.633; 3. Nakagami (JPN, Kalex), at 6.809; 4. A. Marquez (SPA, Kalex), at 9.852; 5. Aegerter (SWI, Suter), at 10.927; 6. Oliveira (POR, KTM), at 13.029; 7. Corsi (ITA, Speed Up), at 13.335; 8. Schrötter (GER, Suter), at 13.754; 9. Virgo (SPA, Tech 3), at 18.079; 10. Marini (ITA, Kalex), at 21.418; 11. Syahrin (MAL, Kalex), at 21.430; 12. Quartararo (FRA, Kalex), at 21.736; 13. Siméon (BEL, Kalex), at 21.974; 14. Cardus (SPA, KTM), at 24.245; 15. Navarro (SPA, Kalex), at 24.863. Then: 21. Raffin (SWI, Kalex, Garage Plus Interwetten), at 38.953. 25 classified. Lecuona (SPA, Kalex, Garage Plus Interwetten) was voluntarily left to rest.
