The final training session of the pre-season finished in Jerez today for the 125cc. and 250cc. riders Esteve Rabat and Julián Simón, that is before the winter break.
They were able to get back on the track in Andalusia after the rain stopped them from training yesterday. In fact the rain was still falling this morning and did not let the riders start until after midday, even so they were riding on a very cold track and with a few puddles.Even though Julián Simón`s first contact with the KTM was not totally positive the time spent on the track will let him spend a more relaxed Christmas break since he has confidence in the potential he saw in the Austrian bike. The Repsol rider emphasised that the type of work they did was centred on the chassis so that he would feel more comfortable riding the new bike for 2008. Another factor that will make him better next season is the operation that Dr. Xavier Mir will perform on him so that the problems he had with his forearms towards the end of the season are eliminated.Regarding Esteve Rabat, the day was not positive at all, because even though he was able to finish the session with some clear ideas of how to develop the bike, two falls in the afternoon meant that he was not able to get used to the bike without breaking his rhythm.
The Repsol rider had a few difficulties with the set up on the suspension and with the chassis geometry and he fell braking at Dry Sack.So the final training session in 2007 has ended and now all eyes are on 2008, to be specific the end of January when, if things go according to schedule. the Repsol riders will be on their new KTM in both 125cc. and 250cc.
Julián Simón,
1’44.9 secs, 64 laps, 283 Km.
“This was a positive day since we were able to try the bike another day. We tried some things that had not been able to do before and the conclusion is positive. Obviously we have to improve the chassis since I am not as comfortable as I would like. But I have to thank the team since they have really helped me to understand the bike and so now I can take advantage of the bike. I am pleased because we did more than 60 laps and at the end we had good lap times, something that gives me confidence. perhaps I should have done a better lap time but that is not the most important thing right now.We rode with the bike for 2007 and in the next session we will have the one for 2008, so I am already dying to get back to work after Christmas. When I was in 125cc I rode a KTM, and it is an experience that has helped me when trying to understand the engine response, as it is similar to the 125cc. It also helped me to meet the people from KTM again as they remembered me and they appreciated my work, which really helps and give me confidence to carry on improving.”
Esteve Rabat,
1’49.1 secs, 70 laps, 309 Km.
“Things are hurting becasue I fell a couple of times. I had a few problems with the suspension, above all at the front, and so I fell when braking. The day was difficult and I do not know why the times did not come. We had to stop learning with the falls but we have discovered a few of the bike`s secrets and in the end in spite of the track being very cold we were able to take advantage the session although it was difficult. We had problems with the chassis geometry, but the best thing was that we were alone for the first test and we had a lot of time to analyse what happened and so try and improve the next time we are on the bike. Seeing how the sessions went I am not dying to go on holiday but there is no alternative.”
