Despite some very difficult weather during the first day of practice for Sunday's Moto2 race, Team JiR's Johann Zarco finished the first session in a creditable 12th place despite the wet weather and was in fifth place by the end of the second session.
The 21-year-old Frenchman will now be hoping for consistent weather in a bid to get a good position on the starting grid for Sunday's race.
The second session was marked by changeable weather conditions which saw riders swopping tyres a number of times during the 45 minutes. This meant that many riders finished the session outside of the 107% qualifying target. Despite these difficult conditions Team JiR's second rider – 16-year-old Eric Granado – enjoyed his first time out on the Sachsenring circuit and will be aiming for consistent lap times throughout the weekend.
The timesheets were topped by Pol Espargaro and it is thought that better weather is incoming in time for tomorrow's qualifying and Sunday's race.
Gianluca Montiron, Team Principal
"For Johann he has done well today. In the morning session in the wet he was in 12th position in his first time in conditions like this at this circuit. In the second session he felt good and to be in the top five is positive for tomorrow, since the weather is getting better and better so we are positive as we believe he has the capacity to improve still further. Eric tried to improve today and tomorrow we will see how things go. Overall, we want to see Johann nearer the front of the grid, and with Eric we want him to try to find a good rhythm. This is more important than one fast lap, yes he needs to be fast but rhythm is more important. Consistency is the key and we will see tomorrow how well he does."
Eric Granado – JiR Moto2 Team Rider
"It was very difficult weather today. The second free practice was dry, then wet, then dry and then wet again! I got so confused but I had felt good from just three or four laps in of the first practice, and my MotoBI felt good too, which made me feel positive. Now I want to do more laps in the dry than in the wet. I like the circuit a lot and tonight I will work hard with the team looking at the telemetry, comparing my times to more experienced riders, including my team-mate Johann. Overall I think I'd like a dry race on Sunday."
JiR Moto2 Press Release
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