Espargaro breaks lap record on first day at Le Mans

It was a great first day of practice and activity for Pol Espargaró at the mythical circuit of Le Mans as the talented youngster circulated under the current course record and was the only rider to set a 1.43 lap; leaving the next classified rider trailing by more than half a second. The MotoGP/125cc Monster Energy Grand Prix of France has gotten off to a bright start with sunshine and high temperatures, a climate a little unusual for the area but expected to last the whole weekend. Efrén Vázquez had less fortune through Friday and suffered some issues with his set-up, failing to register an effort to place higher than ninth position but still has some ideas and options to increase in speed in the sessions ahead.

1. POL ESPARGARÓ, 1.43.908
“It is important to start on the right foot like we have done here at Le Mans even though I was a bit lost on the first two laps and struggled to get a rhythm going. I could find a decent speed though and the lap-times continued to fall, so much so that we could go under the lap record. We are heading in a good direction and with confidence, after witnessing that we are competitive from the start of the season and right up there in the championship standings.”

9. EFRÉN VÁZQUEZ, 1.45.826
“I’m not that comfortable on the bike at the moment and I can’t get through certain sections at the speed I want. I feel positive however because this is the first time we have had some problems this season and I’m sure with some more work we will find a solution. We have to look at the telemetry and see where we are going wrong, even though it is clear that it is not one area if my general sensation on the bike and around the circuit is not quite how I want it. We still have some time to work and change things and I’m convinced we will move forward.”

Source: Tuenti Derbi