Torres & Moreno Continue Learning Experience With Solid Sepang Results

The first and second place qualifiers for the Moto2 Malaysian Grand Prix replicated their positions on raceday, as Thomas Luthi and Stefan Bradl escaped from their rivals in Sepang. Bradl was the fastest off the line, but his 1.2 second lead was cut by Luthi -who passed his fellow frontrunner for the lead just as a red flag was shown to hault the race. The decision to bring the race to a premature conclusion was made after a big crash for Axel Pons on lap sixteen. With temperatures hitting 34º in the air and 48º on track, many riders experienced a loss of strength and tyre grip as the race progressed. Just 25 participants finished the contest, with Luthi taking victory ahead of Bradl

Two such riders were MAPFRE Aspar’s Jordi Torres and Iván Moreno. It hadn’t been an easy weekend for the two Spaniards, but both had stated that they hadn’t come all the way to Sepang to give up easily. Their goal was to complete the race and continue their learning experience in the relatively new class, and they managed to do so in a battle against the conditions. Torres placed nineteenth, whilst Moreno was two positions further down in twenty-first. The next round of the World Championship takes place in two weeks time, at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Cheste, Valencia.

19th Jordi Torres:
“We made a lot of changes to the bike this weekend, and I never fully adapted to track. We looked at all the possible solutions. Like I said yesterday, the injuries to my hands made it very hard to ride. The positive side of things is that we finished the race, when I could easily have crashed out. Now we have another week in which to rest up and think about the next race. I have hardly stopped due to combining the CEV and the European Championship with these races, so a rest will do us good. It was important for me to finish the race, because that is how I learn a lot. I am sure that we will get a good result at Valencia.”

21st Iván Moreno:
“This weekend has been a little strange -different to Australia. I was feeling rough yesterday after crashes on Friday and Saturday, so I was really up for a good race today to erase that from my mind. Today’s race was tough because of the brutal heat, and the conditions affect you despite it being a great circuit. I am not totally satisfied with myself, because I know that I am capable of doing better, but I can see that I am gradually getting used to this class. The team have been great to me these past two races, and I have learnt a lot about Moto2.”

Source: Aspar Media