Gonzalez Rides to Strong Top-10 Finish at the Catalan GP

05-06-2022

Gonzalez Rides to Strong Top-10 Finish at the Catalan GP

Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team‘s Manuel Gonzalez was pushing to the limit in an action-packed Moto2 race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya today. All his hard work this weekend was rewarded with a ninth place. Keminth Kubo‘s replacement rider Stefano Manzi made a good step on the Sunday and, starting from P22, he completed the race in 16th position.

Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team‘s Manuel Gonzalez fully enjoyed the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya weekend and, as the cherry on top, fought himself to a top-10 finish, crossing the finish line in P9. Stefano Manzi had struggled at the start of the weekend but turned things around on Day 3. Starting from P22, he rode to a 16th place, just outside of the championship points.

Gonzalez had been feeling good on the bike and was fast all weekend. He kept the positive momentum going in the afternoon. Starting from P14 on the grid, he made the most of the opportunity. He launched his bike into the first corners and emerged through the first sector in tenth place.

They say a good start is half the battle, but that didn‘t mean the rest of the race came easy. The rookie had to go all out to defend his position. He lost a position to Sam Lowes and later also to Pedro Acosta but kept up his pace. Though he couldn‘t quite catch up with the front group, he was satisfied to ride to a well-deserved ninth place, just 10.746s from first.

Manzi knew that starting from P22 on the grid would make the Catalan GP a challenge, but he was up for it. The Italian did exactly what he had to do: making up three positions in the first couple of corners.

The number-62 rider wasn't having the feeling he wanted on the bike but was still battling with his rivals out on track. With various riders retiring from the race, he gradually moved up the order. He kept his pace up to keep Barry Baltus at bay whilst on the hunt for championship points, but he came just short. He crossed the finish line in 16th place.

Today‘s results see Gonzalez remain in 17th place in the championship standings with 28 points. Stefano Manzi is now 22nd with 9 points and Keminth Kubo is now in 28th place with 4 points. The Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team places 12th on the score board, with 41 points.

The team will be back in action in two weeks‘ time for the Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland at the Sachsenring, held from 16-19 June.

Manuel Gonzalez: P9

Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team

It has been one of the best Sundays of the season! I started really well and during the first laps I could overtake some riders and stay with the front group. I was having a good rhythm; I was confident with the bike. The feeling was really good – even if I was struggling a bit with the hot conditions. During the last five laps, I lost a bit of time, and I went a bit far from the guys in front of me, because I felt less strength in the right forearm. But in the end, the result was better than the objective. We did an incredible job, and we have to continue like this!

Stefano Manzi: P16

Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team

I‘m not satisfied with my performance. I was riding pretty fast during Warm Up when the temperature was lower, but on the hot asphalt I was not ok with the bike, and I was struggling a lot. This was the first race for me in hot conditions, so I didn‘t have a good feeling. It‘s a pity because I arrived here fully motivated. I thank all the Master Camp Team for the weekend together!

Gelete Nieto – Sports Director

Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team

Manu did a great race. He made a big step this weekend. He started very well, and he was able to ride with the fast riders. That‘s very important for Manu‘s confidence. He finished the race only 10 seconds from the winner. His pace was constant, and his lap time is getting very close to the top. In terms of gap, it is our best result so far. We are all highly motivated for the next race. Stefano‘s weekend was not as he expected. He had some difficulties with the setting, and he suffered a lot in the high temperatures we had in the afternoon. The 16th position is not bad, but we know he wanted more on this GP.