Magnificent start for Maverick Viñales in Australia
The first day of free practice couldn’t have gone any better for Team Calvo. Maverick Viñales set the fastest time of the day and ruled the second session with an iron fist.
And all this despite suffering a crash in the morning at the fastest point of the circuit. Luckily the crash remains without consequences for the rider from Roses and he gave his opponents no chance in the afternoon. Despite this, Maverick doesn’t want to sit back and relax because everything is really tight with the top 15 riders within 1 second.
For Ana Carrasco this was the first outing on the Phillip Island circuit, her favourite on the Play Station, and like she said afterwards, much better in reality on the Team Calvo KTM. Ana finished in 18th position but for a good part of the session she was close to breaking into the top ten.
She feels very comfortable on the bike and only the wind made things a bit difficult for her. Tomorrow she wants to qualify in the top 15 to again be fighting for points on Sunday.
#25 Maverick Viñales – 1st place – 1.38.198 / @maverickmack15
We started really well and I’m happy because despite the crash this morning, which was my fault, we rode very well and with much pace. The track wih the new asphalt is great and it’s a joy to ride here. It’s changed a lot and it’s fun. Qe started with the upper hand, but the important bit is to keep it that way, so we have to work on improving the pace with worn tyres and not so much chase after fast laps. I feel a lot better than in Malaysia and I want to keep it like that during the weekend.
#22 Ana Carrasco – 18th place – 1.39.317 / @AnaCarrasco_22
I like the circuit a lot, the best so far and I’m happy because I felt very comfortable from the first moment on. The bike setup is already good. The test was when I was riding solo during FP2 and I kept within the top 15 for a long time. At the end I found myself in a group which I couldn’t escape, but I believe tomorrow I’ll be higher up. The only downside is the wind which changes a lot from one session to he next and complicates things.
Pablo Nieto (Team Director) / @pablonieto22
I believe we’ve had a very positive day. Maverick’s crash was a shame but luckily he’s ok despite crashing very fast. He’s got a good pace and I think this has been one of the best first days of the year. But he’ll have to continue to work hard because only the race on Sunday countd for the points. Anita delivered a spectacular performance. I think scoring points in Malaysia has helped her make yet another step forward. And at this present moment she’s capable of finishing all remaining races in the top 15.
Source: Team Calvo
