Repsol riders finish third and fifth, respectively, at Indianapolis in return from summer break.
Alex Rins and Alex Marquez made a good start to proceedings at the Indianapolis Grand Prix, which marks a return to work after a month without Moto3 action. The Repsol riders were strong right from the start, as Marquez set the third fastest time of the day, just one tenth off Maverick Viñales in first place and 0.068s behind second placed Romano Fenati. Teammate Rins finished fifth, 0.307s back, after riding at a good pace alone.
Rins was amongst the fastest in the first free practice session for the Indianapolis Grand Prix, which was interrupted by light rainfall. That came 15 minutes from the end and although the asphalt quickly dried the standings remained the same. Rins stayed third and his teammate eighth, as Jonas Folger topped the timesheet.
In the second session, with more rubber laid on the track, times dropped consistently until after 18 laps Marquez stopped the clock at 1’48.609. That was the third fastest time of the afternoon. Rins, the winner of the last race, took the fifth quickest time of 1’48.809 on his seventeenth lap.
Alex Rins >> Audio
FP1 – 1:51.250, 11 laps, 46 km.
FP2 – 1:48.809, 17 laps, 72 km.
“After the summer break, in these two sessions we have done quite well.I rode the two sessions alone with used tyres and it seems that I have a good pace, although the grip of the track still has some way to improve before the day of the race. I think we’re doing a good job and we just lack a clean lap with new tyres. We have certain aspects of the bike to refine, but we have a good base.”
Alex Marquez >> Audio
FP1 – 1:52.040, 10 laps, 42 km.
FP2 – 1:48.609, 18 laps, 76 km.
“I’m very happy with today’s practice sessions. I found a good feeling on the bike again, and this is sometimes difficult after a break like we had this summer. Now the process has been faster than in the past. Tomorrow we have to continue to adapt the bike to the track, because it is a unique circuit. I’m happy because we have a good pace and clear ideas and we must continue in the same vein as today.”
