It proved to be an unhappy first day at the Italian Grand Prix for Alvaro Bautista today, the Spaniard running off track in the morning due to a technical problem and then crashing in the afternoon, putting the skids under any progress at Mugello. Michele Pirro also struggled slightly to match the pace of his CRT rivals, who have prior testing data from Mugello whereas the Italian and his team are running the bike here for the first time.
Alvaro Bautista ( 11th 1’ 49” 208 ) “Today was a day to forget, unfortunately not a good one for us. This morning I had a problem with the brakes and ran straight into turn one, then crashed in the gravel. We didn't manage to solve the problem and I wasn't able to ride as I want. In the afternoon we worked on the set-up but I crashed almost straight away, losing the front with no warning. I changed onto the other bike but the brake problem hadn't been fixed and I was really struggling under braking. We changed the disc and pads and managed to put some decent laps together at the end on used tyres. But we have a lot of work to do tomorrow to improve my confidence and my position.”
Michele Pirro (14th 1’ 51” 230) “This is the first time at this track so the others have an advantage having already ridden here. We are slightly more behind the best CRT than we have been in recent weeks, when we have been really close. Obviously we will keep working to reduce the gap and I am optimistic we can do it.”
Fausto Gresini “It has been a tough first day and the two crashes have made life difficult. It wasn't easy for Alvaro but I think with some changes tomorrow can be a different story and he will be back up where he belongs. We are a little bit further back from the best CRT than we have been but we've not been to Mugello with this bike before whereas the others have and that data makes a big different. We have work to do but I am confident we can have a good race on Sunday.”
Honda Gresini Press Release
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