FIM Moto2 World Championship

Mugello, Italy

May 30, 2014

Free Practice Two Results (wet conditions, all using Honda engines and Dunlop tires):

1. Randy KRUMMENACHER, Switzerland (SUTER), 2:09.070

2. Johann ZARCO, France (CATERHAM SUTER), 2:09.180

3. Mika KALLIO, Finland (KALEX), 2:09.357

4. Tetsuta NAGASHIMA, Japan (TSR), 2:10.067

5. Thomas LUTHI, Switzerland (SUTER), 2:10.101

6. Mattia PASINI, Italy (KALEX), 2:10.447

7. Sam LOWES, UK (SPEED UP), 2:10.533

8. Anthony WEST, Australia (SPEED UP), 2:10.546

9. Axel PONS, Spain (KALEX), 2:10.861

10. Franco MORBIDELLI, Italy (KALEX), 2:10.865

11. Maverick VIÑALES, Spain (KALEX), 2:10.873

12. Ricard CARDUS, Spain (TECH 3), 2:10.935

13. Esteve RABAT, Spain (KALEX), 2:10.974

14. Hafizh SYAHRIN, Malaysia (KALEX), 2:11.071

15. Dominique AEGERTER, Switzerland (SUTER), 2:11.121

16. Luis SALOM, Spain (KALEX), 2:11.159

17. Julian SIMON, Spain (KALEX), 2:11.233

18. Azlan SHAH, Malaysia (KALEX), 2:11.289

19. Nicolas TEROL, Spain (SUTER), 2:11.374

20. Josh HERRIN, USA (CATERHAM SUTER), 2:11.740

21. Marcel SCHROTTER, Germany (TECH 3), 2:11.752

22. Xavier SIMEON, Belgium (SUTER), 2:11.763

23. Gino REA, UK (SUTER), 2:11.905

24. Jordi TORRES, Spain (SUTER), 2:11.920

25. Jonas FOLGER, Germany (KALEX), 2:11.969

26. Louis ROSSI, France (KALEX), 2:12.642

27. Alex DE ANGELIS, San Marino (SUTER), 2:12.683

28. Lorenzo BALDASSARRI, Italy (SUTER), 2:13.402

29. Takaaki NAKAGAMI, Japan (KALEX), 2:14.140

30. Thitipong WAROKORN, Thailand (KALEX), 2:14.290

31. Simone CORSI, Italy (KALEX), 2:14.775

32. Roman RAMOS, Spain (SPEED UP), 2:15.117

33. Robin MULHAUSER, Switzerland (SUTER), 2:19.257

34. Sandro CORTESE, Germany (KALEX), 2:30.199

More, from a press release issued by Marc VDS Racing Team:

Mugello, Italy – 30 May 2014: Moto2 World Championship leader, Tito Rabat, ended the opening day at Mugello at the top of the timesheet, after the onset of rain disrupted this afternoon’s second Moto2 free practice session.

Rabat set the fastest time right at the end of this morning’s 45-minute first session, which was held in cool but dry conditions. This afternoon the Spaniard, who celebrated his 25th birthday last Sunday, focussed on finding a good feeling with his Kalex Moto2 machine in both mixed and completely wet conditions.

The rain ahead of this afternoon’s second free practice session meant that Mika Kallio was unable to confirm changes to his set up, after finding it too stable and difficult to turn in the chicanes this morning. The Finn was third fastest in this afternoon’s wet session, but ended the day 11th on combined times.

A lack of feedback from the front of his Kalex-KTM Moto3 machine here at Mugello meant that Livio Loi endured a tough opening day, which he finished in 28th position. Loi will make significant changes to his set up tonight, in the hope of finding an improvement in the final free practice session tomorrow morning.

Tito Rabat // 1st // 1’52.860
“We made a very good practice in the dry conditions this morning, but I expect a lot of riders will also improve tomorrow. This afternoon the session started with the track half wet and half dry, so initially I focussed on the wet parts. At the end we had more rain and the track was completely wet, which allowed me to work on improving my feeling with the bike in these conditions. Overall, I’m happy with our progress in both sessions today.”

Mika Kallio // 11th // 1’53.788
“We started with the same set up as in Le Mans and we knew there was a good chance we’d have to change things. The bike was just too stable, too comfortable, which meant it was difficult to get it to change direction, which is crucial here at Mugello. The plan was to go with a more agile set up this afternoon, but the weather put paid to that. My time in the mixed conditions early in the second session was good, but the confidence in the full wet conditions wasn’t like last year. There didn’t seem to be much grip from the rear, which is something we need to think about. We could always go back to the same settings as last year, but we’re not keen to take such a step back after the progress we’ve made with the set up this season.”

Livio Loi // 28th // 2’00.640
“The feeling with the front of the bike just isn’t there. When I turn in to the corners there is literally no feedback from the front tyre, so I have no idea how close to the limit I am. It doesn’t feel like the front is going to close, the problem is that I don’t feel anything from the front at all. This is a big problem, as I have no confidence in the front now. We need to find a solution, because I’m losing time everywhere, but the biggest loss is through Arrabbiata one and two. The bike is running wide in the first part of the turn, which means I have to wait to get on the gas and can’t carry speed into the second part. I’m probably losing close to a second there on every lap.” 

More, from a press release issued by AGT Racing:

Frustrating start to the Mugello GP for AGT REA Racing

AGT Rea Racing experienced a frustrating start to the TIM Gran Premio d’Italia on Friday, with Gino Rea concluding in 27th and 23rd respectively in both dry and wet free practice sessions.

In a dry free practice one, the top 24 riders were separated by 1.5 seconds, with Gino Rea finishing just outside this close margin in 27th place. Rea was unable to make the most of the better compound tyre, with only one fast lap at the end of session.

With more to come, however, rain ensued for the afternoon practice session. The team did not make the most of the damp track at the beginning of the session however in spite of this, Rea was one of the fastest riders at the end in wetter conditions. AGT REA Racing finished in 23rd following free practice two in what was a difficult start to the race weekend at Mugello.

Gino Rea: “It has been a mixed day for us here at Mugello. In free practice one we only got to use the better tyre for one lap at the end. We were also a bit out with our gear ratio. I know we have better lap times to come for sure in the dry and we needed this dry time in session two to try a different set-up, tyre and gear ratio. However, unfortunately it was damp for the first half of free practice two and I didn’t get the opportunity to make the most of this time.

“The bike felt better at the end when the track was wetter as more rain came down. But we finished down in the results because we didn’t make the most of the damp conditions in the beginning. The rest of the field experienced a wet test at Jerez so we’re a bit on the back foot having not rode in the wet this year. We are remaining positive and are going out to improve tomorrow in all areas.”

AGT REA Racing will be back in action tomorrow for the final free practice of the weekend and qualifying for Sunday’s race. For live updates throughout the race weekend ‘Like’ AGT REA Racing on Facebook www.facebook.com/agtrearacing or follow the team on Twitter www.twitter.com/AGT_REA_Racing. 

More, from a press release issued by AirAsia Caterham Moto2 Racing Team:

AirAsia Caterham Moto Racing Riders Impress in Tricky Conditions

Circuit: Mugello

Circuit Length: 5.245 m

Bike # 5 – Johann Zarco

FP1: P12; 1’53.802 – 18 laps

FP2: P2; 2’09.180 – 15 laps

Bike # 2 – Josh Herrin

FP1: P29; 1’55.858 – 20 laps

FP2: P20; 2’11.740 – 15 laps

Weather

FP1: (Conditions) Dry; (air temp) 17°, (track temp) 27°

FP2: (Conditions) Wet; (air temp) 19°, (track temp) 22°

As the rain began to fall for the final practice session of the day at the stunning Mugello Circuit, both AirAsia Caterham Moto Racing riders showed good form as they adapted quickly to the difficult weather conditions.

Riding his #2 Caterham Suter for the very first time in the wet, Moto2 rookie Josh Herrin put in a good performance to finish FP2 in the top twenty.

Meanwhile teammate Johann Zarco tackled the tricky conditions with impressive pace placing him at the top of the leader board for the majority of the afternoon session, before crossing the line in P2, just 0.110s from P1.

#5 Johann Zarco:

“We had the first practice in dry conditions which we used to set up the bike. We were ready to use the information gathered in this session to make improvements for FP2 but in the afternoon it began to rain.

“The start of the practice was difficult because it was almost dry on track but not enough to use slick tyres. I rode with the wet tyres which felt quite good and as I was able to stay within the top two, although this was not our only target. It was also important to set the bike for the wet.

As the session continued the rain got heavier so it was not possible to improve the lap time but it was good to have more rain to get a feel for how well the Caterham Suter performed in the difficult conditions.

“I did two stops in the pit and we made a good step with the bike and even in the dry this morning the technical side were able to gather some important information. We worked well and made positive progress so I am happy with how this afternoon went, but now we must do this in the dry too because at the top is where we have to be.”

#2 Josh Herrin:

“Today was the first time that I’ve rode the Caterham Suter in the wet and it felt really good. I’m pleased with how FP2 went as I’ve not ridden in the rain for over two years so to be able to go out in those conditions and feel comfortable on the bike so quickly is awesome.

“The track is really fun to ride and I feel I’ve got to grips with it a lot quicker than the other new circuits that we’ve been to so far. I’m feeling a lot better after my injury too, so hopefully this will be the weekend that I can show what I’m really capable of and fight for the points on Sunday.”  

More, from a press release issued by QMMF Racing Team:

West on the pace in dry and wet – rain stops progress for Ramos

Anthony West had a strong start into the Grand Prix of Italy. Despite a gearbox problem in the dry morning session, the 32-year-old QMMF Racing Team rider scored 17th place and was only 1.2 seconds behind provisional leader Esteve Rabat. In wet conditions in the afternoon, the Australian “rain king” lived up to his reputation, clocking eighth fastest despite sliding a lot due to his dry suspension set-up. Fast in all conditions, West is now confident to be able to score a top result in qualifying on Saturday afternoon and in the race on Sunday.

Mugello-newcomer Roman Ramos spent the morning session to learn his way around the magnificent 5.2 kilometre track of Mugello, but his progress was interrupted by rainshowers in the afternoon that made it impossible to methodically work on improvements on riding style and set-up for his Speed-up prototype. 33rd in the time sheets so far, the 23-year-old Spaniard now hopes for better conditions on the second day of practice.

Anthony West – 17th in 1.54,141

“Normally, Mugello is the worst track for me in all the championship, but this time, we seem to be all right. I think we are on a good pace and I am feeling good despite a small mistake with the gearing that cost us a lot of time in the dry session this morning. That was a bit frustrating because without this problem, we could have been higher up in the ranking for sure. The first part of the afternoon session was half-wet, half dry, so it was a bit strange. But I felt good even though we had a completely dry setting on the bike. We were way too hard and I was sliding a lot with the rear, but the bike was easy to control. We kept the dry suspension settings even when it rained a lot at the end of the session, but my lap time was still competitive. Even with all the spinning and all other problems we had, we were doing fine!”

Roman Ramos – 33rd in 1.57,132

“Mugello is another new circuit for me and as beautiful it is, it is also challenging, because it is so fast, long and complex. The first free practice session was very difficult because I had to learn my way around the track and the set-up of the bike wasn’t perfect, either. In the second practice, it started to rain and we didn’t do too many laps. Now we hope that the weather will improve tomorrow and that we will be able to continue our work and manage to speed up!”