Team JiR’s Mike Di Meglio suffered a tough race today at the Spanish Moto 2 Grand Prix at Jerez. The Frenchman initially made a good start from 17th on the grid, battling in the early laps for the points scoring positions against experienced Moto2 riders such as Thomas Luthi and Randy Krummenacher, but an issue in the faster corners and higher track temperatures saw him unable to maintain a good rhythm in the second half of the race.
Maiden winner Esteve Rabat continued his weekend’s dominance with a fine display, leading from the first corner to take the win from Scott Redding and a slow-starting Pol Espargaro, whose battle with Japanese rider Takaaki Nakagami made the race a thrilling spectacle in the final laps.
Team JiR and Di Meglio will now go away to analyse all the data to improve their fast-corner performance in time for Mike’s home race at Le Mans in a few weeks time.
Gianluca Montiron – Team JiR Team Principal
“We made a different setting on the bike from yesterday to today thanks to the condition of the track temperature which was higher. Mike was able to lap in the 45s bracket but he was suffering from a spinning rear wheel, so we need to analyse the data and perhaps we need to look at other things also. In slow corners Mike is able to drive out of them well, but we seemed to lack a little something out of the fast corners. For sure we have to work better in practice and qualifying and the lap time of Mike has to be more consistent as he is a fast rider but we need to help him get a good rhythm and consistency for the whole race. We were close to the points scorers today but just not able to take points – this isn’t Mike’s favourite track and we need to move to France and hope for the best for Mike’s home race.”
Mike Di Meglio – JiR Moto2 Team Rider
Final position: 20th
“It was a difficult weekend for us but we were looking for grip from the rear and changed a lot for the race but I think we need to understand what’s happened so we can solve it in time for the next race. The rear was spinning during the second half of the race and we need to understand why. Le Mans is in a few weeks time and now we need to work on things for the faster corners. In the slow corners the bike is very good and we have the drive, but we now need to cure the problem in time for my home race. I’m moving forward to Le Mans with a positive outlook that my experienced team and myself can improve the bike for the next race.”
JiR Moto2 Team Press Release
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