Disappointing End to Austrian GP for Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team

21-08-2022

Disappointing End to Austrian GP for Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team

Luck wasn’t on the side of the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team today. Both Manuel Gonzalez’ and Keminth Kubo’s race ended prematurely, with the former crashing in Turn 2 on lap 7 and the latter in Turn 4 on lap 6.

The Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team had been looking forward to today’s Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich Moto2 race as both their rookie riders had made some good set-up progress leading up to the race. However, in the span of a mere two laps their hopes of scoring points this weekend were dashed when Manuel Gonzalez and Keminth Kubo crashed on lap 7 and lap 6 respectively.

Gonzales knew he had work to do starting from P26 and would have to use the ever busy and chaotic opening lap of a Moto2 race to his advantage. He briefly ran in 17th place on the opening lap, before settling in 18th. The Spaniard kept on fighting though, challenging Barry Baltus ahead of him. But a small crash in Turn 2 ended his run.

Starting from P28, Kubo was keen to make up ground fast, but contact with another rider at the new Sector-1 chicane on the opening lap forced him to go straight on onto the run-off area. He fell back to P30 but was soon back up to speed. The Thai rider started gaining positions. He was in P26 at the start of lap 6 and gaining speed when it all went wrong for him in Turn 4. A collision with Sean Dylan Kelly ended his race early.

Today’s results see Gonzalez stay in 16th place in the championship standings with 44 points. Keminth Kubo keeps his 28th place with 4 points. The Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team also remain in 11th position, with 57 points.

The team will be back in action on 2-4 Sept for Round 14 of the 2022 Moto2 World Championship, held at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.

Gelete Nieto

Sports Director

"This is a weekend to forget. We had a good Warm Up with both riders, and we were confident for the race, event if our positions on the grid were not the best of the year. Manu started very well, and he could overtake a lot of riders in front of him, gaining eight positions. Kubo lost some time because of some crashes in front of him, and after five laps he had an accident with a rider and he crashed. One lap later, at Turn 2, Manu made a mistake and crashed too. He tried to rejoin the race, but the gas throttle was broken. He was not feeling confident with his bike. It's been a very difficult weekend, but we are already thinking about Misano."

Manuel Gonzalez - DNF

Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team

"I could say that this weekend is one to forget, but is not true. From the worst things you learn the most, so we have to look forward and continue with our ascending line. I started the race very well, overtaking eight riders during the first lap, but from the fourth lap I started struggling with the bike, and I was riding too much on the limit. I crashed after lap 6, and I’m sorry for the team. I want to thank them for all their work."

Keminth Kubo - DNF

Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team

"The Warm Up was good, we had a good set-up and I was feeling confident with the bike. At the beginning of the race, I lost the group I was following because some riders crashed in front of me. I was pushing hard when I had an accident with another rider, and I crashed. The bike was broken, so I couldn’t rejoin the race. It’s a pity because the team worked a lot all weekend. I’m already focused on Misano."

Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team - 2022 - Austrian GP - Sunday