Repsol riders round off preseason with second and third fastest times, respectively, of final day in Jerez.
Two weeks away from the start of the 2013 season, Alex Rins and Alex Marquez today completed their preseason at the end of a four-day test at Jerez. The Repsol riders ended the day in second and third place, respectively, on the timesheets.
With just two one-hour sessions ahead of them and fine weather –including high temperatures from as early as 10am- Rins and Marquez went out on track almost as soon as it was opened. Continually fine-tuning their KTM machines, both bettered their fastest times of the four days. Rins stopped the clock in 1’46.610 and Marquez took a 1’46.986. The latter suffered a light crash at Turn 11 in the morning, but continued with his workload.
Having completed testing, Rins and Marquez round off the test with third and fourth place, respectively, on the combined timesheet from the four days. The ranking was headed by Luis Salom and Maverick Vinales. The real action resumes in two weeks’ time in Qatar, with the first free practice sessions of the 2013 season.
Alex Rins >> Audio
1:46.610, 32 laps, 142 km.
“I leave Jerez very happy. We were able to improve our times and gained a lot of pace, whether with new tyres or with used ones. Salom pushed hard on the final lap and got the fastest time, but we are pleased with our work ahead of the opening race. We perhaps lacked a race simulation to see how the bike responds without grip, but in general I feel that we are ready and I am motivated for the Qatar GP to come around.”
Alex Marquez >> Audio
1:46.986, 22 laps, 97 km.
“When we started the preseason, we had a bike that was new to us. Little-by-little we have adapted to it and made steps forward. In the previous test we didn’t go well, but we came to this test motivated to do a good job and we advanced every day. This finally day was good for us, I have a good feeling with the bike and I think that we are ready for Qatar. This season we need to work at our maximum and try to get to the front whenever possible. I don’t have any pressure, but I’d like to get a podium this year. Why not?”
