“Positive result” for Bautista in Jerez but hoping to solve persistent grip issue in post-race test

For the race of the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez this afternoon the conditions were hot and punishing, especially for the tyres, with all riders having to focus not only on racing their rivals, but also trying to stay smooth, to avoid running out of grip in the closing laps. Dani Pedrosa managed it best, able to run a fast but smooth pace, riding alone and taking his first victory of the year with a dominant display.

Alvaro Bautista (GO&FUN Honda Gresini RC213V) also struggled with tyre wear, but after a mediocre start he was still able to catch up with the second group of Rossi and Crutchlow to join the battle for fourth. He managed to get past Crutchlow mid-race to take over fifth place, but then started to lose out again, trailing the Brit by just over two seconds over the line.

Alvaro Bautista, 6th “That was a long and hard race because of the heat, which made it tough on the tyres. I didn’t get the best start and lost two positions, which I was able to make up although it was when I closed down on the group ahead of me that we started to struggle for grip. It is basically the same problem we have been having all weekend, but I also started to have some problems with the front, which wasn’t allowing me to get on the gas as I wanted. Anyway, we gave 100 percent and it’s a positive result that gives us something to build on in the test tomorrow. I want to thank the team and sponsors for their continued support.”

Source: Honda Racing
Photo: Gresini Racing/Milagro