Pol Espargaro will definitely have had an intense first day of a Grand Prix of France which started well. The official KTM has in fact validated the new carbon swingarm mounted on his RC16 by leaving the stage with, of course, two falls, but also a seventh overall time which allows him to envisage, with a certain serenity, a tomorrow promised to be rainy. Johann Zarco's teammate is already potentially in Q2...
This 1'31.923, Pol Espargaro and went to get it, a rewarded energy which delighted his employer, reassured about the good effect on his RC16 of the new parts tested in Jerez: “ we tried different things, like an engine, a swingarm and a chassis upgrade. Positive things from the Jerez test confirmed » rejoices the Moto2 World Champion of the 2013 season.
« The carbon swingarm gives a better feel, especially with worn tires. It's less complicated but they are small differences. We save weight on the bike. And it helps with changes of direction and acceleration. Furthermore, the same swingarm does not change the character of the KTM, which is positive. ».
The Spaniard adds: “ When tire wear occurs, we now have a little more efficiency, and that's what we needed. We have reached a level where small details make a difference. We can now take our package a step further ».
That being said, the brother of Aleix who follows him like his shadow in the rankings still fell twice. He explains : " I made a small mistake on the last turn. I was following Valentino Rossi who got behind me a little when accelerating and I wanted to keep in contact. I widened and climbed the vibrators which are a little high here. I fell. For the second crash, something had broken on the bike after the first crash, and it knocked me to the ground. But the main thing is that I am not injured and that I am seventh ».
Indeed, with this performance, Pol Espargaro can look positively at the outcome of events: “ On Saturday we want to stay in the top 10. We expect the third session to be dry and we saved two soft tires. Maybe not everyone has one, so we have an advantage. But of course we have to wait and see what the weather will be like. I think I can fight for a good position ».
We will recall that in the rain of Valencia, Pol Espargaro got on the podium with his KTM. His teammate Johann zarco is only seventeenth.
French Grand Prix Le Mans MotoGP J1: combined times
1. Vinales, Yamaha, 1:31,428 min
2. Marquez, Honda, + 0,190 sec
3. Quartararo, Yamaha, +0,285
4. Lorenzo, Honda, +0,288
5. Dovizioso, Ducati, + 0,308
6. Petrucci, Ducati, +0,471
7. Pol Espargaro, KTM, +0,495
8. Aleix Espargaró, Aprilia, + 0,704
9. Nakagami, Honda, +0,775
10. Miller, Ducati, +0,810
11. Morbidelli, Yamaha, +0,811
12. Crutchlow, Honda, +0,842
13. Bagnaia, Ducati, + 0,857
14. Rossi, Yamaha, +0,892
15. Mir, Suzuki, +0,894
16. Rins, Suzuki, + 0,957
17. Zarco, KTM, +1,146
18. Abraham, Ducati, +1,571
19. Iannone, Aprilia, +1,713
20. Oliveira, KTM, +1,973
21. Rabat, Ducati, + 2,003
22. Syahrin, KTM, +2,475
