These were extremely positive tests which took place in Qatar for the Tech3 team entered in Moto2. The Mistral610 blew hot in the Losail desert without knowing the slightest grain of sand. With a Xavier Vierge ready to work miracles and a Remy gardner full of promise, the French team has been full of confidence a few days before the start of the season.
The only one equipped with Kayaba suspensions and Sakura exhausts, the Mistral610 seems this year able to get its return on investment. Although disrupted by the weather conditions, the final tests of the off-season proved positive for the men ofHervé Poncharal, including a Xavier Virgo determined to anchor itself in the top 10 and more if affinities.
The one who appeared as the first non-Kalex driver in the second session on Sunday commented: “ I am very satisfied with the way these tests went and I can't wait to get back on my bike for the start of the season. Each day that has passed has been marked by progress. The team has really worked hard this winter and we are now seeing the results on the track ».
« Overall, I'm happy with my general pace and I'm happy with my speed when it comes to a qualifying round. I am excited and confident for the Qatar Grand Prix next weekend. I would like to thank the entire team once again for their work. ».
Xavier Vierge finished eighth in these two days of testing in Qatar, since Friday was missed due to rain. In 2'01.126, he completed a total of 86 laps. His teammate Gardner is a little further, but far from being dropped. His 2'01.967 after 99 laps also positioned him in the top 10 at the end of the second Sunday session. In total performances, the young Australian is twenty-fifth.
« We had a good last day and I am happy with the progress made during the second session » comments the new recruit of Tech3. “ We still have work to do, but we are definitely on the right track. It's a shame to have missed track time because of the weather, especially on Friday. But these things happen. I can't wait to find my Mistral in a few days and I'm going to give my best when I get back on the track ».
Hostilities will resume this Thursday at Losail for the launch of the 2017 Grand Prix season.
Moto2 Tests Qatar Cumulative Chronos:
1. Takaaki Nakagami (Kalex) 2:00,187 min
2. Franco Morbidelli (Kalex) +0,053
3. Alex Marquez (Kalex) +0,240
4. Hafizh Syahrin (Kalex) +0,584
5. Miguel Oliveira (KTM) +0,674
6. Tom Lüthi (Kalex) +0,714
7. Fabio Quartararo (Kalex) +0,884
8. Xavi Virgo (Tech3) +0,939
9. Danny Kent (Suter) +1,049
10. Axel Pons (Kalex) +1,065
11. Marcel Schrötter (Suter) +1,081
12. Jorge Navarro (Kalex) +1,109
13. Sandro Cortese (Suter) +1,124
14. Julian Simón (Kalex) +1,188
15. Luca Marini (Kalex) +1,249
16. Jesko Raffin (Kalex) +1,257
17. Xavier Simeon (Kalex) +1,323
18. Isaac Vinales (Kalex) +1,323
19. Francesco Bagnaia (Kalex) +1,326
20. Mattia Pasini (Kalex) +1,456
21. Brad Binder (KTM) +1,627
22. Simone Corsi (Speed Up) +1,696
23. Dominique Aegerter (Suter) +1,751
24. Yonny Hernandez (Kalex) +1,780
25. Remy Gardner (Tech3) +1,780
26. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Kalex) +1,848
27. Tetsuta Nagashima (Kalex) +1,997
28. Khairul Idham Pawi (Kalex) +2,068
29. Mashel Al Naimi (Speed Up, QMMF) +2,338
30. Edgar Pons (Kalex) +2,549
31. Andrea Locatelli (Kalex) +2,683
32. Stefano Manzi (Kalex) +3,704
33. Saeed Al Sulaiti (Speed Up, QMMF) +4,475
