Team San Carlo Honda Gresini rider Alvaro Bautista made progress on the second day of action at Motegi to find improved confidence with the front end of his Honda RC213V and qualify it on the second row of the grid for tomorrow's race. The team have done a great job today and will try to take another step forward in the warm-up, which would surely give Alvaro a chance of fighting for the podium. Michele Pirro also made progress despite a crash and is hopeful of making up positions from eighteenth on the grid.
Alvaro Bautista (5th 1’ 45” 481)
“I think we have taken a good step forward today because we made a couple of changes that helped the feeling with the front suspension even though it is not 100%. Now I have more confidence and I was able to push harder from the start and then have fun this afternoon. We have taken a step forward compared to Aragon and I am confident for tomorrow because our pace is consistent. The only doubt I have is about the tyre life but we'll just try to get a good start and hang on to the guys at the front. I have to thank the guys in the team because they have worked hard along with Showa to put me in a position to show my true potential.”
Michele Pirro (18th 1’ 48” 653)
“Unfortunately I wasn't able to give my best today because of the vibration problem, which continued to hinder us today. I am sure the guys will do their best to reduce the problem for the race tomorrow. We had a crash today which didn't help but hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.”
Fausto Gresini
“That was an extremely good session for Alvaro, who showed good race pace. We were a little unlucky in qualifying because he was held back by a couple of people crashing and some slower riders but a second row start is good and I am happy with it. Michele had a crash and is also having problems with vibrations on the bike but we are trying our best to give him a better bike. Hopefully we can do it because his pace is okay and he can have a good race.”
San Carlo Honda Gresini Press Release
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