Gonzalez Scores Points at the End of a Challenging Spanish GP Weekend

30-04-2023

Gonzalez Scores Points at the End of a Challenging Spanish GP Weekend

Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Master Camp‘s Manuel Gonzalez and Soichiro Minamimoto gave it their all in today‘s Gran Premio MotoGP de España. Gonzalez‘ strong start helped him secure 12th position. Minamimoto successfully completed his third-consecutive Moto2 race, bringing the bike home in 26th place.

The Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Master Camp team‘s hard work this weekend at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto was rewarded with four championship points. Manuel Gonzalez gained four positions to cross the finish line in 12th place. Soichiro Minamimoto‘s main aim for the Gran Premio MotoGP de España was to complete the hot 21-lap contest, and he finished it in 26th position.

Gonzalez had a strong opening lap starting from 16th place on the grid and gradually climbed up the rankings. He was soon in 11th position in the midst of a group consisting of six riders. While battling amongst themselves, Manugass was pushed back to 13th. The local hero continued to fight and put in attempts to overtake but wasn‘t able to make up ground. With Ai Ogura crashing out on lap 13, the Spaniard moved up to 12th, a position he held all the way to the finish line.

Minamimoto had a good start from P29 and wrapped up the first lap in 27th place. He was battling with more experienced riders in the opening stages of the 21-lap race, but later a gap started to form. The Spanish GP a lonely ride for him, apart from being overtaken by Lorenzo Della Porta on lap 14 and challenging him again in the final stages. The rookie continued to focus on his riding, aiming to successfully complete his third-consecutive Moto2 weekend. With some riders crashing out, he took the chequered flag in 26th place.

Today‘s result earns Manugasss 4 points. He is now on a 26 points total in 10th place in the championship standings. Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 ranks 8th in the team championship, also with 26 points.

Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Master Camp will stay in Jerez for a one-day Moto2 Official Test on Tuesday, after which they will have a week off before they start Round 5, the Grand Prix de France, held at the Le Mans track.

Manuel Gonzalez - P12

Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Master Camp

"As I expected, it was a difficult race. We made some changes on the bike yesterday afternoon, and I could improve my feelings. I started pretty well, and I was able to recover some positions, but from the fifth lap on it was difficult to ride the bike. I had some problems with the rear. I‘m not satisfied about today. I think we need to continue our work on the bike. The test on Tuesday will be very important for us: we need to ride a lot to find a good setting to use on the European circuits."

Soichiro Minamimoto - P26

Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Master Camp

"I enjoyed the race, but for the first half of it, I had some problems with the brakes, and I couldn‘t stop the bike well. The last ten laps were better, I could push harder than before. I was behind Dalla Porta, and I tried to pass him on the last corner, but I couldn‘t. I want to thank the team and Yamaha for this great opportunity. I will bring back with me all the experience gained here to the Asian championship. I hope one day to come back here as an official rider."

Gelete Nieto

Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Master Camp, Sports Director

"It was a difficult weekend for the team, especially since we came to Jerez eager to get a better result. During the first six laps of the race Manu's pace was quite good, but after those laps the rear tyre lost grip, so his times started to drop, and he finished in P12. Our objectives are different than this result, and all of us will fight to achieve them. This Tuesday we will continue trying things to try to improve.

"Soichiro‘s experience with us has been positive overall. He improved every day of every race weekend. He finished all three races with us, and he always worked well with the team. It‘s not been easy, but also today he demonstrated that he is a good rider with a lot of will to improve himself and to do better. I thank him for staying with us and for giving his all! "