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Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team Start Spielberg Campaign

Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team Start Spielberg Campaign

The Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team went straight to work at the Spielberg circuit today. Moto2 rookies Manuel Gonzalez and Keminth Kubo used the free practice time to get a good feeling riding the Austrian track and wrapped up the day in 19th and 31st place respectively.

Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team’s Manuel Gonzalez and Keminth Kubo used the Friday free practice sessions to find speed at the Spielberg track, known for its hard braking and hard acceleration. They ended the first day of riding in 19th and 31st place respectively.

Gonzalez had a challenging FP1 due to a problem with a rear tyre, and also the set-up of his bike needed some work. It cost him valuable time. His 1’37.110s best lap, set on lap 8/16, put him in 26th place.

The Spaniard and his crew’s hard work in the morning paid off in the afternoon. He noticed a positive change and was able to quicken his pace. He ended the day in 19th place with a best time of 1’35.561s, set on lap 19/19.

Kubo planned to gain a lot of experience at the Spielberg track, which has a very special lay-out. He soon dropped under the 1’38s-mark on his first run and kept the momentum going on his second outing in Austria. His 1’37.117s best time set on lap 15/17, left him in 27th position.

The Thai rider used FP2 to further study the race lines. He made a considerable time improvement, clocking a 1’36.782s on lap 6. He was looking to push more on his final run but had a small crash on braking. He completed the day in 31st place.

Gelete Nieto

Sports Director

"We lost time during the first practice of the day with Manu because we had a defective rear tyre. That’s very bad for us. As a rookie team, we already have less experience with this circuit so we can’t afford to lose any further time this weekend. Fortunately, FP2 was better. We found a good setting. But we still have to work on the bike, that’s why we hope for good weather tomorrow so we can keep improving and keep our ascending line going. Kubo is working to find a solution for the stoppie he has on the entry of the slow corners and for the wheelies when he exits turns. Tomorrow’s FP3 will be important."

Manuel Gonzalez - P19 (1'35.561)

Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team

"It's been a difficult day for us. We had a defective rear tyre in FP1, and the bike was working very badly. We have been able to improve a lot in FP2, more than I expected, to be honest. That’s a good sign, because we changed a lot of aspects of the setting compared to the previous race, so it means we know where and how to improve. We are ready for tomorrow’s qualifying."

Keminth Kubo - P31 (1’36.782)

Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team

"I like this track; I like its lay-out. I had a small crash at the end of FP2. During the last minutes of FP2, I tried to push, but I couldn’t stop the bike well. So I tried to push harder, but I made a mistake on the last lap. We need to fix these problems and continue to improve for tomorrow."