What is the best path to MotoGP? A question that has come back into the spotlight since Jack Miller's victory at Assen, coming directly from Moto3 two years ago. An option which, before this Batavian realization, was the jurisprudence of failure. The young Australian's teammate in the Marc VDS Racing team is Tito Rabat, ex-World Champion in a Moto2 category which he left with a title and 13 victories. Result ? The Spaniard is having the worst difficulties adapting…
Tito Rabat At 27 years old, he has been racing in Grand Prix since 2005. Six campaigns in the late 125 and five seasons in Moto2. On the CV, there is nothing to say, the rider deserved to arrive in MotoGP. He therefore took up residence within the Marc VDS team for a Honda RC213V which is also his teammate's bike. Miller in the exact opposite trajectory. The Spaniard methodically marked his ascent. The Australian was parachuted into the elite last year.
Overall, both men encounter the same adaptation problems: “ it is clear that I am far from the level where I would like to be » admits Esteve to PecinoGP.com. “ But hey, I arrive in MotoGP after a long period spent in Moto2 and during which I got used to a certain speed and a certain riding style. Everything is very different now. But I'm still here and I've learned a lot of things since the start of the season. Now I have to put it all together. I have to adapt and I'm working like never before to get there ».
Vegetating in Moto2 and knowing all its nooks and crannies is therefore of no use for MotoGP. The Spaniard explains: “with a MotoGP, you need to use the front brake as much as possible to slow yourself down and aggressively. And from the first meters. You have to stop with everything you have. This is something that no one can imagine until they have ridden a MotoGP. Then you have to slowly release the brakes and take the angle. This bike is powerful, fast and the tires allow you to corner, but you have to do all that in a few meters ". He compares : " In Moto2, you had to go gradually, accelerate slowly and raise the bike little by little to reach full throttle. Seen like that, it doesn't seem complicated, but when you're on the bike it's different. New automation is needed ».
« MotoGP was like a shock. I rode the same bikes for five years. I suspected that MotoGP would be more demanding, but I told myself that after all, it was just a motorcycle. But no! It's much more! It opened my eyes. I have a new motorcycle, a new environment, electronics and new tires. And you have to put it all in harmony by being patient because if you attack too much, you fall and falling in MotoGP is also more complicated! You have to stay calm, not worry about others and do your job. This is the only way to progress. I won't be discouraged ". And he is right because he will do it again in 2017.
