Photo by: Yamaha MotoGP
Yamaha Factory Racing riders Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies were back on track today in Brno for the first sessions of the Grand Prix of Czech Republic. After a very difficult weekend in Indianapolis both riders were enjoying the fast flowing Brno circuit and were quick to find pace in the morning. Both were unfortunate to crash in the afternoon session but no injuries were sustained and both were able to continue. Spies crashed on his preferred bike set up, compromising the remainder of the second session riding with less ideal bike settings whilst Lorenzo was able to continue dueling with Dani Pedrosa for the top two positions.
Jorge Lorenzo
Position 2nd - Time: 1'56.911 - 19
“Today was much better than Indianapolis, we tried to improve the bike but we still need to find some solutions for more grip in the corners. I had a small crash in a slow corner, I tried to lean a little more and found the limit of the grip. I’m quite satisfied overall, we are there with Dani fighting for the best lap time every practice which is good.”
Ben Spies
Position 8th - Time: 1'57.446 - Laps 14
“The second session wasn’t great for us but the first session was really good. We went out in the afternoon and the bike was working really well but we had an older front tyre from the morning on. I just think I might have been pushing a little too hard at that point with the track temperature being a little hotter and we had a small low side crash. Unfortunately the second bike had a very different setting on it which I wasn’t comfortable on. It was too far off to really make a step forward. We know the pace is good with the original setting so we’ll work on improving that tomorrow.”
Wilco Zeelenberg - Yamaha Factory Racing Team Manager
“An ok first day today, the small crash was a pity but nothing really damaged and no injuries. It’s very tight at the top; it looks like they are trying to get maximum grip out of the tyre and everyone seems to be struggling a little with similar issues. Let’s see for tomorrow if it can be a bit smoother and we can improve the lap time.”
Massimo Meregalli - Yamaha Factory Racing Team Director
“Ben had a little crash in the afternoon which compromised the second practice. Unfortunately we were trying two different set ups and the one he crashed with was the one that he was more comfortable with. The feeling he had with the other was not perfect. This morning he ran really well and is confident with the set up and the tyres. We’ll work on some improvements tonight and tomorrow I don’t think we’ll be far from the best set up.”
Source: Yamaha Racing
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