Elias, Terol sweet on Losail experience

Tweet

Mapfre Aspar's Toni Elias feels confident about his chances in Qatar as he begins his quest to win back the Moto2 crown he captured in 2010.

Elias hopes to make more progress with his set-up at the Losail circuit but regardless is optimistic of pushing for a strong result this weekend.

“I really like Losail. The fact we are racing at night and with a film of sand on the track always makes for difficult racing but I still like it a lot,” he said.

“We still need to take a step forward with the set-up but even so we go to Qatar feeling happy and confident about our chances. We are looking forward to the start of the season and the whole team will be working hard from the first session to find something extra. 

“Losail is a pretty fast circuit with some flowing corners and not a lot of grip, due to the humidity and sand.”

His team-mate, Nico Terol – the last ever 125cc world champion – has shown encouraging signs of making a swift transition to four-stroke machines and could spring a few surprises in 2012.

Terol, who has won twice at Losail, said: “I have always had a good feel for the Losail circuit. It has a bit of everything - some fast and slow sections - and racing at night makes it extra special. I always enjoy riding there and I am looking forward to seeing how things go for me in my first race in this category. 

“We have a lot of work to do but I am sure that if we keep working like we have done up to now we can have a good Grand Prix. 

“Racing on Sunday night without a warm-up session could throw up some unexpected surprises so we have to stay focused throughout the whole weekend and keep our rhythm up. I am looking forward to the start of the season.”

source: crash.net

read more...

Aspar shows off full 2012 project

Tweet

The Mapfre Convention Centre in Madrid was the setting for a special presentation by the Aspar Team on Wednesday, as owner Jorge ‘Aspar’ Martinez discussed his 2012 project.

The Spanish team, which unveiled its MotoGP™ line-up last week in Valencia, showed off a video presentation detailing its project across all three World Championship classes, including Moto2™ and Moto3™.

“Every year we set ourselves bigger challenges,” said Martinez, “and year after year we achieve our goals. Last year we were once again 125cc World Champions, we don’t want to stop growing and the base of our team is excellent. In Moto3 we have a challenge, to be the best again, and in Moto2 we have two World Champions who’ll fight for the highest possible targets. In MotoGP we have a big challenge in front of us, to be the best in the new (CRT) concept within the premier class.”

Experienced rider Hector Faubel, who will ride in Moto3, stated that his sole aim this year will be to fight for the title, whilst Alberto Moncayo was highly satisfied with how his pre-season had gone.

Returning to the Moto2 category, in which he won the title in 2010, Toni Elias said he aims to be able to fight for a victory at the season-opening race in Qatar in just over a week, while 2011 125cc Champion and 2012 Moto2 rookie Nico Terol said he had made very good progression throughout the pre-season in his adaptation to the class.

source: MotoGP Official

read more...

pictures: Aspar Moto2 Moto3 Jerez Test 2012

Tweet

pictures of Aspar Moto2 Moto3 Jerez Test 2012

source: plusmoto

read more...

Toni Elias: "Every day we are closer"

Tweet

Toni Elias and Nico Terol have again improved their records in the second day of testing at Jerez again have used all your minutes of evidence and have continued collecting data.

The morning has been marked by further changes in the geometry of their respective Suter, and as the day has progressed, both have improved their feelings and their times. In fact, the last batch of late has been the most productive for both drivers of Mapfre Aspar. Both Toni and Nico were happy with the pace harvested and to improve their times three and five tenths respectively. They have also had opportunity to ride a narrower front tire, the Alcoy has been happy with the performance, not the Catalan who has seen some rebounds. In any case expect to continue making the most of their working time tomorrow.

Toni Elias: "The time has now been almost four tenths faster than yesterday, we are working hard and little by little we are leaving things right. Every day we are closer, but not going to settle, still looking new solutions, new improvements to be stronger in areas fast. Besides, today I mounted first supposedly new tires we use soon, and certainly not like I have done. But we have time to get used to them and find new solutions to gain more grip. Today we were more competitive than yesterday, tomorrow we will try to be a little more still, to leave with a little unclear Tasting ".

Nico Terol: "We have improved the time from yesterday by half a second, and we have also evolved in terms of pace. We have made ​​progress and I know we still have much room for improvement, but there is more work. That's what training, what matters is every day we step forward and our feelings evolve. I rode many laps low rate of 1.44, I have wanted to keep pushing tomorrow to improve my records. Today we tested a narrower front tire that gives me some confidence. We lacked a bit more grip, but overall performance in the latest round of the day has made ​​me happy conclusion. "

source: Motocuatro

read more...

Toni Elias: "The bike works gradually getting better and I'm attaching to it"

Tweet

After three days of incessant work, suited Mapfre Aspar riders feel very satisfied with their progress, and we eagerly await the next test in March.

After three days of intense activity, after hours and hours of shooting, no driver wanted to leave the Jerez circuit today, and is curiously today was the best day of the test Andalusia. Conditions have improved, the temperature was ideal and most teams have used to dismiss this training to work from early in the day, to almost six in the afternoon. 

NicoTerol, like yesterday, trying to gain grip on the train back and eliminate some vibrations in the former. Meanwhile, Toni Elias was playing with the suspension and the chassis to gain more speed through the corners faster. Both have nailed her best time of 1.43.60-day, and were totally satisfied with their performance, after imposing a rate of 1.43 during most of the day. Now you think to recover, having completed no less than 394 laps between them (226 and 168 Toni Nico) in the three days of trial. 

Nico Terol 1.43.60 (62 laps): "I am also very pleased with the results of this third day in Jerez. Physically, I'm finding more and better with the Moto2 and I can complete more laps. I made ​​the last run of the day a great pace, constantly spinning at 1.43, but then we have come a vibration in the front. There I noticed that I lack experience in the category because, trying to resolve it with determination and a little too quickly, we have engaged. My mechanics have done a great job and we have gone ahead without difficulty. I make a very positive reading of this test because our records are already quite fast and also improve every day. Rhythm is also perfect for three days, I think this is key to further progress. "

Toni Elias 1.43.60 (71 laps): "I leave Jerez happy because we had a very clear progression. We evolve at a rapid pace and every time we get closer to the time of head. Today for the first time we have turned in 1.43, considering that the last time we were here I could hardly get off of 1.45, is a good result. I'm happy because every time the bike is working better and I'm gradually attaching to it. Of course we still have room for improvement, but we worked much in these three days, and thanks to that we have collected a wealth of information to be discussed in the break period until the next workout. I say goodbye to Jerez very happy with the team, there is a super smooth relationship, I think we're doing a job we're getting progressive squarely on the right track. "

source: motocuatro

read more...

Elias and Terol test Suter new chassis

Tweet

The Circuit of Valencia smells from today until next Friday to Worldwide. Practically the entire staff of pilots Moto2 and Moto3 met today at Valencia for the first official test of the year.

Brand new and fresh from the oven they expected, Toni Elias and Nico Terol, the new 2012 chassis manufacturer Suter Federer. The harsh temperatures have forced them to delay its start until well past noon. Today was a day of reunions, to recapture feelings, to adjust the position on the bike to remove the accumulated Tarquin after two months of inactivity, as far as racing bikes are concerned. The feeling was positive despite the cold, both Toni and Nico have agreed that the new chassis has enormous potential and therefore successfully concluded the day. Nico has completed a total of thirty laps, and preferred not to go out on track in the afternoon shift, Toni has instead defied low temperatures to give vent to his tenacity. 1.38.30 has been the best record of Catalan and the Valencian 1.39.65, a good start for the first official test of the year.

Toni Elias 1.38.30 (47 laps): "It is very cold, so I'm taking it easy, because it is easy to make a mistake and go to the ground. go on you get a shock alert, it is still important to work because we are two months without driving. I am very happy because the bike run a lot, and we have also solved a problem with the clutch we had in the last test, then worked hard and fortunately it has been solved. Today we had very clear ideas and thanks to that has worked in the right direction, it is very important for us to lay a good foundation. know how we work, today was the first day of training on 2012 World Cup begins in April and seems to lack a eternity, but we have to take the maximum time to prepare. "

Nico Terol 1.39.65 (30 laps): "Early in the day I felt quite strange, the truth is that I have a few miles in the new category and I have to keep me still getting used to many things. In the latest round of the day and I started to regain some feeling. I've only given thirty laps, with the same tire, I have not had much information, but this journey has helped me desoxidarme after the winter. Today we basically worked on the bike position, we tried to put everything right in place tomorrow and Friday to try many things. The base is good and we have time left, so I'm calm and pleased with how this training has begun. Temperatures have dropped a lot, so we decided not to roll out in the latest round of the day. The new chassis I liked, I notice that has been deleted rather the lack of grip and is more docile when to turn. "

source: motocuatro

read more...

Toni Elias: "Challenges have made me stronger"

Tweet

Toni Elías will be at Valencia next week for the three day Moto2 test to kick off his 2012 campaign with the Aspar Team. After a disappointing 2011 season in MotoGP™, the first Moto2 World Champion returns to the intermediate category with the stated goal of fighting for a new title.

You just returned from a few days of training in Andorra. Are you back in shape for the challenges of the new season?

"Yes, I like to prepare with winter mountain sports, I feel good physically and I’m already looking forward to starting work this preseason, so for now I’m very happy."

How do you see the 2012 campaign and your return to Moto2 with the Aspar team?

"My goal is to repeat winning the championship, like I did in 2010. I just have to remember that the level is high, and it’s been really competitive throughout the year. It will be hard, but for our part we are going to focus on making a good season, to work properly and try to reach the first race to be very competitive."

And you will try to become the first double champion in the Moto2 class…

"I would love it, I am going to work hard because it is a dream and I’m very motivated. And I have another motivation, with this team we were close to Championship in 2003, but I didn’t quite make it, and it would be nice to reach that goal now. I’ll have to work hard with the team, fighting every day, and then we will see at the end of the year if we can say we achieved our goals."

What do you think about the 2012 grid and the level of your competitors you are going to face this year?

"There are riders I don’t know and riders whose level I know very well…and I won’t trust either! From what I’ve seen, the most consistent last season was Marc (Márquez), who was a really strong rider and will be difficult to beat, I don’t know how he is physicall at the moment, I hope he recovers 100%. But it’s not only Marc, there will be many other riders who I know very well, like De Angelis, who will have a good bike this year, Iannone, with who I fought a lot against in the past, there are going to be a lot of riders on Kalex like Espargaró, Rabat, Redding and Kallio, and riders who are really fast, like Luthi, Takahashi or Julián Simón, who changed teams this year. And there may be other surprises. I saw the name Gino Rea, who with Gresini could be really strong. Like I said, I’m not ."

And in your own garage, you have the 2011 125cc Champion Nico Terol…

"Yes, Nico and I, we get along really well, I really like him. Last year he won the title and for sure he will be very competitive in Moto2, although he might need a little time and experience."

When addressing the 2010 season, one of your primary motivations was to win the Moto2 title as a passport back to the premier class. Will your aim be the same in 2012?

"Yes this is my goal. My objective has always been to return to MotoGP, I hope that it goes well for me and I can return to the class. Because I had a bad year doesn’t mean I can’t ride at a MotoGP level. But I learned a lot, the challenges have made me stronger, I would say stronger and more experiences and I hope to put it all into practice and return to the class in the future."

What is the verdict on last season-do you feel like you were treated unfairly at times?

"I absolutely do not think I was treated unfairly, tings just happened that way and I don’t want to speak poorly about anyone or start any controversy. I like to look at things positively and the most positive thing about 2011 is that all the difficult situations that I was up against, both on and off the track, have given me more experience. And now I have to apply that and continuing fighting. Just because I had a bad year doesn’t mean it is over. I hope you have Toni for a while longer."

What are your initial impressions about the Aspar team and the Suter bike? Do you think that they can be the benchmark in the class this year?

"It is hard to say. We hope that, together with Suter, we can do a great job, and if we run into problems we can overcome them. Actually, Suter won both Constructors’ Championships, though none of their riders won, and now that is their aim, to take the rider’s Championship. The approach and the strategy will be really important, and from there they can meet their goal."

source: MotoGP Official

read more...

Elias and Terol satisfied with the first day of testing at Jerez

Tweet

More than a dozen pilots have gathered in the Andalusian track in the first of which will probably be the last test of 2011 for many.

Despite the rains that have prevailed in much of the Iberian Peninsula in the current week in Jerez has worn the sun all day, encouraging all pilots gathered there could squeeze eight hours of continuous work (from 10 am to 6:00 p.m.) provided for each test day from today until Friday.

Miles and miles, Toni Elias and Nico Terol now have accumulated 459.992 and 274.276 km Jerez respectively, both have landed in the saddle nothing Switzerland, Suter, and want their adaptation is light. Toni pulled the day around 10.30 and half an hour later Nico. Far from engaging with major changes, both have focused on the geometry of their frames, to find a good riding position, and gradually introduce new changes. The Catalans, who finished at five-thirty, was probably the most turns pilot completed a total of 104. For its part, the Alicante divided their day in batches of eight to ten laps, finishing with 62 total to his credit. The two have signed his lap just before the end of the day (1.44.21 Toni and Nico 1.44.90)

 Toni Elias 1.44.21 (104 laps): "I've finally been able to complete a full day on this bike. The truth is that, compared to Valencia, the feeling was much more positive. We are working on setting up and notice that we are on the right track. However much remains to be done in different areas: geometry, clutch, suspension... We must continue to meet every mile bike again. For my short time on this bike, shooting in 44 here in Jerez, is a sign that we are doing things right, we must continue. It is still early to draw any conclusion, I come from MotoGP and I'm sure I'm used to a different behavior in terms of driving. I have to continue to adapt my style to the bike and taking the point to the category. I have taken many turns, among other things, to see how the bike behaves with used tires, and also to try to speed up my adaptation to the fullest. "

Nico Terol 1.44.90 (62 laps): "Today we were very lucky because it has come a fabulous day in Jerez, and we could work hard. I have begun to turn around eleven and I've been on track until four and a half. I am slowly making my bike more, I'm starting to feel the Moto2, and that brings me to drive at home. Today we focused on adding miles, and we played a little more grip frame to find, especially in the rear wheel. At the end of the day I made ​​my longer runs, I think it was productive because the pace was good, especially considering that we turned highly degraded tires. We have also assembled a fairing a trifle larger than the standard but have not been many findings today was my main work setting to improve adherence. I'm glad the first day of training, we are on the right track. "

Source: Aspar Team

read more...

Toni Elias returns with Team Aspar Moto2

Tweet

Toni Elias, after a tortuous season in MotoGP with the LCR team will return next season to hand Moto2 Aspar Team. The agreement between both parties is verbal and in the coming days and the signing could be announced officially.

So after several days of negotiations, Toni Elias will return to the intermediate category, which was world champion in 2010, and will hand Aspar team, with whom he was in his time and 250cc before his first jump to MotoGP. The agreement between Elijah and Aspar is only awaiting final signature, which will occur shortly. Toni will have a Suter 2012, the same bike with which he has done this season and Marc Marquez had already season finale units Aspar. Toni will have the technical collaboration of Henry Peris, who has worked with the 250cc and which has very good feeling.

The latter has been an important detail after a difficult season in MotoGP with the LCR team, where Toni was not understood never a technical level with team officials, closing a season that did not cover, nowhere near the expectations.

Initially it was speculated that Gresini team Toni back Moto2 which won the World Cup in 2010, but the fact is that there has been at any time conversations. Nor has there been the possibility that Toni pilots next year, a CRT Aspar bike, it will do so safely and Aleix Espargaró, who after leaving the team Sito Pons Moto2 will jump to this new category in MotoGP. The second Aspar CRT for next season now has no owner, but an option that is open is that of Randy de Puniet, now without a team after ending its agreement with the Pramac-Ducati.

source: motocuatro

read more...

Elías secures eighth place after tough GP in Phillip Island

Tweet

In a challenging 25-lap race, LCR Honda MotoGP rider Toni Elías finished 8th in the weekend’s Iveco Australian Grand Prix at a cloudy and cold Phillip Island.

The notorious unpredictable Island weather changed again during the premier class race with four riders crashing out in the last part when a rain shower hit the 4448km ocean track, however it could not dampen the spirits of the home supporters after Australian Casey Stoner raced to his second MotoGP World Championship.

Elías, riding the LCR RC212V had a hard weekend trying to fix his rear traction problems but Sunday’s lower track temperatures affected his performance. The Spaniard suffered edge grip issues from the beginning but managed to finish the Grand Prix in the top-10 ahead of Loris Capirossi and Karel Abraham and pick up eight points.

Toni Elías, LCR Honda

“This was a difficult race for us because the weather was pretty bad and in these conditions we always suffer very much. I could not warm up the rear tyre properly and from the beginning of the race I suffered with edge grip issues. We have been lucky because some riders crashed out in the last part of the race and we could finish in the top ten. Hopefully we can adjust the bike for next race in Sepang where the temperature is totally different”.

source: motogp official

read more...

Elias crashes out of stunning performance; Akiyoshi scores points in front of home crowd

Tweet

Toni Elias started from the fifth row to hold onto 7th by the end of lap one and looked set for a top ten finish, but at 7 laps to go he went down.

The Spanish rider showed his determination for 17 laps before going wide into the gravel, while team mate Akoyoshi was looking forward to racing at his home soil to support the Japanese population and he rode a positive race, scoring 7 points thanks to his 12th place finish.

Toni Elias: 

“Well... first I am very disappointed because we could fight for the 7th position taking the best result so far. The adjustments we made this morning after the warm up session made the bike more stable and even today I took a very good start from the back of the pack. I was faster than qualifying and front tyre feeling was a lot better: with this pace I could have obtained a brilliant result for me and the guys but in turn five, which is a very hard braking point, I hit a bump and I lost the front crashing down. Anyway I would like to thanks the guys for their efforts and I am looking forward to racing in Phillip Island”.

Kousuke Akiyoshi:

“I am very happy about my performance today. Maybe I could have started a bit better but my pace was consistent till the end. I hope that Japanese fans enjoyed this racing weekend and want to thank the Team for their good job”.

LCR Honda press release.

read more...

Elias crashes out of season-best sixth

Tweet

Toni Elias, a best of tenth in the dry this year after a demoralising time at LCR Honda, crashed out of sixth place in Sunday's Japanese MotoGP.

The fast-starting Spaniard jumped from 15th to seventh on lap one and, as the race order see-sawed due to accidents and penalties, was in sixth - between Marco Simoncelli and Nicky Hayden - when he crashed out with seven laps remaining.

"Well first I am very disappointed because we could fight for the 6th position taking the best result so far. The adjustments we made this morning after the warm up session made the bike more stable and even today I took a very good start from the back of the pack. 

"I was faster than qualifying and front tyre feeling was a lot better: with this pace I could have obtained a brilliant result for me and the guys but in turn five, which is a very hard braking point, I hit a bump and I lost the front crashing down. 

"Anyway I would like to thanks the guys for their efforts and I am looking forward to racing in Phillip Island”.

source: crash

read more...

Akiyoshi To Line Up Alongside Elias At Motegi

Tweet

Motegi, 27th September: The Japanese Grand Prix at Twin Ring Motegi, Honda’s home track, was originally the third on the calendar in late April, but was rescheduled due to the massive and catastrophic earthquake that hit the East Japan area early in the season. In addition to the riders participating in every Championship round (Repsol Honda Team: Dani Pedrosa, Andrea Dovizioso and Casey Stoner, San Carlo Gresini Team: Marco Simoncelli and Hiroshi Aoyama, LCR Team: Toni Elias), HRC test riders Shinichi Ito and Kousuke Akiyoshi will also join the Motegi race this weekend.  The first one will ride as a wild card entry on an HRC Team, while Akiyoshi will ride alongside Toni Elias for LCR Honda MotoGP Team. 

The 36-year Japanese rider already experienced the MotoGP making his debut in 2006 as a wild card. Besides that Akiyoshi won the 2007 Suzuka 8 Hours competition and rode for 5 years in the National SBK Championship proceeding also his commitment as HRC test rider.  

Toni Elias: “What happened in Japan some months ago is simply incredible and racing in Motegi, despite the difficulty, is our way to help Japanese people to get back to their normal life. Motegi race track is a magnificent venue and I have experienced the podium in 2007 aboard a MotoGP bike. We arrive in Japan with high motivation despite the difficult overall situation but our aim is to close the gap to the front”. 

Lucio Cecchinello: “First of all I would like to thank HRC because they have asked our cooperation for next Motegi GP. We feel proud to give our support taking another Japanese racer on the grid and I hope this will give further motivation to the Japanese fans that are still facing a tough moment after the disaster of last March”.

source: LCR official website

read more...

Elías out of luck on home soil

Tweet

LCR Honda MotoGP rider Toni Elías started from the 17th on the grid for the 23-lap Gran Premio de Aragón race but the Spaniard was expecting a different result at one of his home tracks.

The Spaniard lacked corner-exit drive during qualifying on Saturday, but took a very good start from the last row finishing the first lap in 9th position. Unfortunately the reigning Moto2 World Champion could not maintain the same pace for the whole race and his competitors caught him lap by lap. With 7 laps to go Elías and Capirossi collided and both crashed out of the race.

Toni Elías: 

“Despite the crash I feel satisfied because I pushed hard for the whole race. Once again I had a very good start and the first laps I tried hard to follow the group. But, as has happened in the past races, I lacked traction control and the guys started to pass me. I couldn’t maintain the same pace and then Loris hit me with 7 laps to go. We both went out in the gravel, but I’m not angry because this is racing. I’m just happy we are both okay”.

LCR Honda press release.

read more...

Toni Elias starts WSBK test

Tweet

MotoGP rider Toni Elias made his World Superbike debut for BMW Italia during the first day of testing at Misano on Tuesday.

The reigning Moto2 world champion and former MotoGP race winner has struggled throughout the 2011 season with LCR Honda, and is considering his options for 2012.

The Spaniard was eleventh fastest out of 13 riders on Tuesday, during which he suffered one fall without harm.

Toni's best lap time was 2.1sec behind former MotoGP team-mate Marco Melandri (Yamaha) but only 1.3sec from the leading BMW of Ayrton Badovini.

Elias was faster than fellow MotoGP race winners Chris Vermeulen (Kawasaki) and Makoto Tamada (Honda).

BMW Italia is a satellite team - the factory BMW squad of Leon Haslam and Troy Corser were not present.

Testing concludes today (Wednesday) after which Elias will head for this weekend's Aragon MotoGP round. 

Elias is presently 14th in the world championship with a best finish of ninth, in the wet at Jerez.

source: crash.net

read more...

Elias 15th at demanding Misano weekend

Tweet

The Spaniard aboard the RCV number 24 wasn’t happy about his place on the grid at a track where he won the Moto2 race last year, but he enjoyed the first part of the race lapping in the low 1’36 range. After that Elias was not capable to match the pace of the competition because of the front end issues he faced in the previous two days of practice.

Toni Elias: 

“We tried a few adjustments in this morning’s warm up, but we couldn’t get any improvement so we went back to the setting we already knew for the race. I could lap in the low 1’36 range, but after some laps the guys started to run in the 1’35 range and it was impossible to for me to match their pace. In the middle of the race I felt the same issues I felt in practice – I just not have front end confidence. This weekend we didn’t take any steps forward and this is frustrating for me and the team, but we will try to solve this situation in Aragon. This weekend has been a particular one for me and other riders because one year ago we lost a dear friend and a talented rider, so my thoughts are with Shoya Tomizawa’s family.”

LCR Honda press release.

read more...

Elias in good form at Test in Czech Republic

Tweet

The Spaniard, who finished in 11th position in Sunday’s 22-lap race, proceeded with the adjustment work on front end issues has has been experiencing and, despite a big crash from which he luckily escaped unhurt, Elias feels more confident ahead next GP at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the 28th of August.

Toni Elias: 

“Apart from the bad crash, I am quite satisfied about this test session and about my lap time. We have mainly tried to fix our front end issues: some changes did not work, but with small adjustments on the front geometry I could improve my feeling on the bike to get more corner speed. After lunch I was going for another long run and I probably pushed too hard, crashing heavily in the gravel. The bike hit my right leg and I thought my foot was injured, but the x-ray has ruled that out. After that, I was a bit dazed and I preferred to remain in the garage for the rest of the session. Anyway, I think we took another step forward before the next race in Indianapolis.”

LCR Honda press release.

read more...

Elias improves finishing 11th in Brno

Tweet

The Spaniard put in a good performance at the Brno race, Twhich was held in warm conditions and under sunny skies. Elias closed the gap to the top ten group and he is confident that with a few more adjustments to his machinery he can make further steps forward on the testing day at the Brno circuit on Monday.

Toni Elias: 

“Well... My start was not brilliant today because I slipped on a dirty part of the track and couldn't catch the first 5 riders in the first corner which was my goal. After that my pace was quite good but not enough to follow Aoyama, and in the last two laps I had fun battling with Barbera for the 10th position. At the end, he beat me but the most important thing for me is our pace in the race because today we have finally reduced the gap to the leading group. This is a positive step forward for me and the team and we will try to get further improvements tomorrow”.

LCR Honda press release

read more...

Elias 12th on the Brno grid

Tweet

After Friday’s afternoon improvements, LCR Honda rider Toni Elias recorded a best time of 1’58.245 and grabbed12th place on the grid for the Cardion ab Grand Prix Ceské republiky race.

This is the best qualifying position so far this year for the Moto2 Reigning World Champion and he is convinced he could have lapped even faster but this morning torrential rain has interrupted his TO DO list to fine tune the RCV.

Toni Elias: 

“Obviously I’m satisfied because this is my best position on the grid so far this year. With the small improvements we gained yesterday, I could ride the bike with more confidence, especially on the front. I had some more things to try this morning but the bad weather interrupted my plan. Anyway, we already decided on the front and rear tyre for tomorrow’s race and we just need to fine tune the bike to confirm our overall package. These small adjustments make me confident for Monday test session as well”.

LCR Honda press release.

read more...

Elías finds small afternoon improvements

Tweet

LCR Honda rider Toni Elías is hopeful that his previous form of winning in Moto2 at Brno in 2010 and premier class podiums in 2008 and 2009 can inspire him this weekend, and prove the turning point of his 2011 season. On Friday the Spaniard registered a best lap time of 1’59.157 across both practice sessions, leaving him 18th on the timesheet.

Toni Elías:

“After the summer break I am happy to ride here in Brno. It’s one of my favourite tracks and in 2008 and 2009 I experienced the podium in the premier class. Unfortunately we have started the weekend with the same issues but we had some small improvements in the afternoon session. Now we must work on that to take another step forward ahead of the qualifying session. Despite this difficult situation I am very motivated and the team is doing a good job to help me.”

read more...