After three practices on top of the time sheets, Aleix Espargaro confirmed that he is a very fast rider also in the qualifying session. Unfortunately two crashes prevented him to finish in the front row, which was close at hand.
After crashing on turn 2, while he was third in the time sheets, Aleix went back on track with the second machine and he was 1 tenth faster than the pole when he crashed for the second time, loosing the front. Fortunately the crashes were without consequences for the Spanish rider, who will take the start of the Qatar GP from the third row.
It was a difficult session also for Colin Edwards, who improved his pace with hard tyres but couldn’t use at the best the soft tyre to make a step forward and tomorrow he will start from the fifth row.
Colin Edwards - 5
“During the qualifying I was faster than in the test I have a better feeling with the hard rather then with soft tyres. I’m still struggling to make the bike turn, this remain the main issue. I’m trying to change my style, adapting more to this machine but it’s not natural. We will continue working in the warm up and then I will do my best in the race."
Aleix Espargaro - 41
“I’m really sad because I have been the fastest rider in the first three sessions and also in the FP4 I had a strong pace with hard tyres. When we switched to the soft tyre, I was not so comfortable with the front. I pushed but I lost the front and crashed. I went back on track and in the T4 I was 1 tenth faster then the pole, when I crashed, loosing the front again. It’s a pity and I’m so sorry for the team that will have to spend the night in the garage to repair both bikes. It was my mistake, we have lost an opportunity but the season is long and we will have other chances. Tomorrow it will be a more difficult race, as we will have to pass more riders to stay with the front guys but I’m confident."
NGM Forward Racing Press Release
