Moto GP

Team Suzuki Ecstar ready for Brno

Posted:

Thursday, August 18th, 2016

10:53 PM

First of two back-to-back races in the second-half of the MotoGP World Championship sees Brno in the Czech Republic host the 11th of the season this weekend.

Team Suzuki Ecstar riders Maverick ViÌ±ales and Aleix EspargarÌ_ approach the HJC Helmets Grand Prix CeskÌ© republiky race with different feelings: While ViÌ±ales will try to repeat ‰ÛÒ and hopefully improve upon ‰ÛÒ his 2015 performance where he fought very close to a podium position, EspargarÌ_ will have to overcome the injuries suffered last Friday at the Red Bull Ring race in Austria, where he fractured his left hand.

Maverick ViÌ±ales

Overall, the previous race was a positive one for the team; although EspargarÌ_‰Ûªs crash worried everyone, the improvements showed by both riders gave the Suzuki engineers added enthusiasm and more valuable data to work on.

‰ÛÏI‰Ûªm curious to go to Brno because it‰Ûªs a track I like and last year I had a positive GP here," ViÌ±ales shared, "It is a fast circuit and yet technical, I think the GSX-RR can suit the circuit with its good-performing chassis and also the improvements we have done with the engine and the seamless; and compared to last year, I think this can give me further help for a positive weekend.

"Of course we still have some issues to face: The traction is not performing as well as I‰Ûªd like, we are making some progress but it is not quite enough yet. The set-up will be crucial, but also the electronics will play an important role. My goal will be to work as hard as possible from the very beginning on Friday, and try to transform the positive feeling I have about the track into a positive result in Sunday‰Ûªs race.‰Û

Aleix EspargarÌ_

Following a tough weekend in Austria Aleix EspargarÌ_ hopes to be fit enough for the race.

‰ÛÏThe race in Austria was really tough for me, unfortunately the finger hurt a lot and I couldn‰Ûªt keep proper grip on the handlebars when the tyre-drop started to make the bike move," EspargarÌ_ explained. "This resulted in a retirement and it‰Ûªs something I never like when it happens. I really tried hard until the very last lap because I wanted to finish the race, but it was impossible and I had to give up.

"We only had a couple of days of recovery before this Brno race, but I tried to work hard to recover as much as possible and I hope I will be in good condition for this weekend. The Brno track is a nice one, last year Maverick had a very good race and this year our technical package is even better, so I‰Ûªm confident for a positive result. In Austria we made some improvements and steps forward with the machine, being competitive all weekend, so we will try to exploit that positive path we‰Ûªve found.‰Û