A suspected ear infection known as labyrinthitis kept Jakub Kornfeil off his Kalex KTM on the first day of the Italian GP at Mugello. Kornfeil tried four laps in the morning session but felt too sick and dizzy to continue. As a consequence RW Racing GP only had Jasper Iwema on track in the second free practice. He finished the session in 20th position.
Iwema had a difficult start of the day in damp and tricky conditions but recovered well in the afternoon. The sun had warmed up the Tuscany hills and dried the track. In almost perfect conditions Iwema was in 13th halfway through the session. His lap time of 2.01.803 was little over 2 seconds slower than the fastest time of provisional pole sitter Luis Salom.
Team manager Jarno Janssen was satisfied with the results of this afternoon, but knows there is still much work to be done. ,,Jasper has to keep pushing as hard as he can, but we should not forget he is still not 100 percent recovered from the concussion he sustained in Texas. His riding is still affected by that. But we know what to do, where we have to concentrate on.’’
Janssen expressed his concerns on Jakub Kornfeil. The Czech came to Mugello yesterday morning complaining he felt sick and dizzy for a few days already. Tests in the Czech Republic showed nothing and he underwent new examinations in the Clinica Mobile at the circuit, where the doctors suspect an ear infection known as labyrinthitis: an inflammation in the inner ear that affects the hearing and balance.
Kornfeil got medication and was allowed to try to ride, but after four laps already it was clear he was not able to ride.
The current number 7 in the Moto3 championship will have another examination tomorrow to see if he is fit. If not, Kornfeil will fly back to the Czech Republic as soon as possible to receive treatment.
Janssen is worried about his rider. ,,If it is labyrinthitis, as they suspect, Jakub may be out for a few weeks. That would be very bad news, for Jakub in the first place, but for the team as well.’’
Jasper Iwema (20):
"The second practice was allright. I am fast in the first two sections of the circuit, but I lose almost a full second in the third section that contains two fast corners (Arabiata 1 and 2) and a chicane. Together with my team I am working to find a way to improve there. This morning was not good. It was tricky and I didn’t want to take risks, but I was a bit too cautious."
Jakub Kornfeil:
"I am very disappointed. The start of the season has been good and I’m 7th in the championship. I want to race, but I can’t. I hope the medication helps."
RW Racing Press Release
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