Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team‘s Manuel Gonzalez finished the first half of the 2022 Moto2 season on a high. He showed his battling skills making up multiple positions to take ninth place across the finish line. Keminth Kubo gained experience experimenting with his riding style and new lines at the TT Circuit Assen. He ended the race in 21st place.
Gonzalez had a strong Warm Up session, setting the fourth fastest time. It upped his confidence for the race, which he started from P15. A smart manoeuvre in the opening corners gained him four positions and he held 11th as they went across the line for the first time.
However, anything can happen in the busy mid-pack. On lap 2, Manugasss was forced wide and fell back to 16th. The Master Camp rider found himself in a group of riders that would ultimately fight for eighth place. He was soon back in 15th, with 21 laps left to make strides. And he did make them. The Spaniard showed his racing talent once again, putting in a mature ride. Making some solid overtakes, he crossed the finish line in ninth place, earning himself 7 points.
Kubo‘s objective for the race was sticking with other riders and learning as much as possible. Starting from P28, he pushed to keep close to the riders in front of him during the opening laps. Following Niccolò Antonelli, they passed Alex Toledo together. As a rival retired from the race, the Thai rider got up to 26th place.
However, a long-lap penalty for taking a shortcut in Turn 17, meant Kubo lost valuable time. He was delegated one position but gained several as multiple riders got caught out by the technical TT Circuit Assen. The number-81 rider used the opportunity to catch up and study Toledo‘s lines for the rest of the race before making his move. On the final laps he launched his attack on Toledo again. He succeeded on the final lap and defended 21st place all the way to the finish line.
Today’s results see Gonzalez climb up to 16th place in the championship standings with 39 points. Keminth Kubo stays in 28th place with 4 points. The Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team remain in 11th position, with now 52 points.
After a five-week summer break, the team will be back in action on 5-7 August for Round 12 of the 2022 Moto2 World Championship, held at the Silverstone Circuit, UK.
Gonzalez Sprinkles Some Sunday Magic Again at the TT Assen to Take 9th
Gonzalez Sprinkles Some Sunday Magic Again at the TT Assen to Take 9th
Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team‘s Manuel Gonzalez showed sheer determination in the TT Assen race. The rookie was riding in the group ultimately fighting for eighth place and muscled his way to ninth at the chequered flag. Keminth Kubo used the race at the TT Circuit Assen as a learning experience. Using a rival to study his lines, he waited until the final stages before engaging in a battle and took 21st place.
Sports Director
"I‘m really happy about this Sunday! Starting from the Warm Up, where Manu finished in fourth position, we had a good feeling for the race. Manu started the race very well, recovering four positions. But during the second lap, he went wide in the last corner because of Aldeguer, and he lost five positions. His pace was very good and he was riding really fast. Races are like this, and we know that, but it‘s a pity because if he hadn't been involved in this incident, he probably could have stayed with the riders in the group in front of him. He finished ninth, a great position, and only 7.5 seconds behind the winner of the race. It‘s our best result so far in terms of seconds to first, so I want to say 'Congratulations' to Manu. Kubo‘s race was consistent. He was riding with a group of riders, but he had a long-lap penalty and he lost some time. He did his fastest lap in the last lap, and that means he made good progress. The most important thing for him is to always ride as much as possible. Now we all need a bit of rest, so we can recharge our batteries and arrive in England more ready than ever!"
Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team
"It‘s been another great Sunday, one of the best of the season! We tried a new suspension setting during the Warm Up, and I had a good feeling with the bike. I knew I could do well in the race, and planned to stay with the front group. I had a good start but I collided with another rider, and I lost some positions. I had a very good pace, and I could overtake some riders, finishing in P9. My team did an incredible job! See you all after the summer break!"
Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team
"We changed something on the setting of the bike for the Warm Up, but I didn‘t like it. Then we made another adjustment for the race, and I had to adapt my riding style to it. I had a long-lap penalty that made me lose a lot of time. The pace during the race was not bad, I improved compared to yesterday. Now I fly back to Thailand, and I will use these weeks off to rest a bit and to train to be ready for for the last part of the season."
