Terol confirms progress with strong 12th on first day at Mugello

As has been customary over the past two seasons the lap records continue to tumble in Moto2, none more so than at Mugello today where in free practice Pol Espargaró clocked a 1’52.745 to smash the previous best here set by Stefan Bradl last year with a 1’53.362. Espargaró dominated both sessions today although he was forced to work hard for it, under pressure from his main championship rivals Thomas Luthi, Andrea Iannone and Marc Márquez.

MAPFRE Aspar rider Nico Terol is on course to join the battle at the front in the near future as he continues his adaptation to the Moto2 category. Today the Spaniard racked up no fewer than 41 laps over the two sessions and his relentless hard work paid off with the twelfth best lap time of the day, less than a second shy of his compatriot at the top. His MAPFRE Aspar team-mate Toni Elías suffered more than he expected at this demanding circuit, starting out with a set-up that he wasn’t comfortable and struggling to make progress as the day wore on, eventually finishing up in 26th position.

12th Nico Terol 1.53.714 (41 laps): “I am very happy with our results today. My pace has been good from the start and I am closer to the top guys than I have been at other races so far this season. Less than a second from the fastest lap is not a bad way to start the weekend. I feel satisfied because we have taken a big step forward and I feel so comfortable on the bike I can carry a lot of lean through the fast corners. This is the best feeling I have had with the bike this season and I want to keep it going tomorrow. We started out with the same base setting as Sachsenring and we’ll keep working in the same direction for the rest of the weekend. If we can leave this place with a good set-up we will feel the benefit in the future.”

26th Toni Elías 1.54.932 (30 laps): “The truth is that we had a difficult day today. This morning we started out with a set-up that we thought would work but it didn’t. We have worked hard to find a solution that allows me to ride more comfortable but so far my feeling with the bike hasn’t improved. I am disappointed by the level of our performance today but we’ll keep working to turn it round tomorrow.”

Source: Aspar Team Press Release