MotoGP Le Mans NGM Forward Racing Preview

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This weekend the 2014 MotoGP World Championship heads to Le Mans. The Grand Prix of France, fifth round of the calendar, welcomes the NGM Forward Racing Team with Aleix Espargaro currently 7th in the Champion in the MotoGP class.

After a well-deserved seventh place at Jerez, Aleix Espargaro aims at repeating a strong performance on the tight French track, characterized by first gear corners, late braking and hard acceleration. Also team mate Colin Edwards looks forward to get a good result at Le Mans, a track where he visited the podium in 2005 and 2008.

Colin Edwards

“I like Le Mans and I have good memories on this track with two podium finish. I hope to have a better weekend, I need a good result and I will do my best working with the team each session to prepare the race at the best.”

Aleix Espargaro

“Le Mans is a good track. There are a lot of tie corners and I think that for the characteristics of the track, we will suffer in the hard braking and in the parts that require hard acceleration. Our target remain to fight in the top 5 and I will give my best to get the best possible result.”

NGM Forward Racing Press Release

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NGM Forward Racing Preview Argentina MotoGP

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The NGM Forward Racing Team heads to Argentina for the third round of the 2014 MotoGP Championship. This weekend will be the debut of the Argentina GP race at Termas de Rio Hondo, with only a very few riders having visited the track last year. 

Inaugurated in 2008, the circuit was modernized and enlarged in 2012 with the purpose of turning it into South America’s most modern, safe and vibrant circuit. There is a lot of expectation for this race weekend, as MotoGP returns to Argentina for the first time since 1999 

For the NGM Forward Racing riders it will be a complete new track, as they were not among the riders who tested at Termas de Rio Hondo last year. After a 4th and a 9th place finish, Aleix Espargaro looks forward to a strong race in Argentina. His team mate Colin Edwards is excited to discover a new racetrack, where everybody will start from zero. 

Aleix Espargaro: 

“After the Texas GP I had some time to rest a little bit at home and now I look forward to the Argentina GP. We were not among the riders who did a test session there last year, but anyway it will be new for most of us. It will be important to try to work well during the whole weekend in order to prepare the race in the best possible way and arrive at the race with a good set up to fight with the front guys”. 

Colin Edwards: 

“I look forward to race in Argentina. I like the country very much and it’s exciting to race in a  new place.  We had an unlucky race in Texas, so we go to Termas de Río Hondo to get a better result”.

NGM Forward Racing Press Release

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NGM Forward Racing Review Austin MotoGP Race

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After the great result scored yesterday in qualifying, Aleix couldn’t make a good start, loosing the contact with the front group.  He struggled with the chattering and preferred to be a bit conservative to finish the race and getting some good points. The Spaniard is now 5th in the championship with 20 points.

It was an unlucky day for Colin Edwards who expected to get another result in his home grand prix. As his team mate, Colin struggled a lot during the race and when there were 4 laps to go his bike stopped, obliging him to retire. With today’s retirement, Colin is 14th in the rider Championship. 

The NGM Forward Racing team leaves Texas in 4th position of the Constructor and Team classification.

Aleix Espargaro - 9th

“This morning we struggled a lot due to the front chattering and it happened the same in the race. I couldn’t push. I had to be a bit conservative, focusing on finishing the race and getting some points. It was very frustrating but it was impossible for me to push more today. Anyway I’m confident for the next gp and I look forward to race in Argentina”.

Colin Edwards - Retired

“We struggled the whole weekend and I also had an issue with my front tyre, that made my race even more complicated.  With 4 laps to go, I had problems with the fuel pressure and my bike stopped, when I was in the back straight. My race was over. Now we will try to understand what happened”.

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NGM Forward Racing Preview Austin MotoGP

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Aleix Espargaro and Colin Edwards aim for strong performance in Austin. After a stunning 4th place in the opening race in Qatar, where Aleix repaid the pre-season expectations, recording the fastest time in the first three practices sessions and recovering on Sunday from ninth on the grid to fourth after two crashes in qualifying, the Spaniard looks forward to confirm his great debut on board of the Forward Yamaha.

The Texas GP will be a special one also for team-mate Colin Edwards, known in the paddock also as Texas Tornado. The home GP will give an extra boost to Colin, who will be surrounded by family, friend and the big support of the American fans.

Colin Edwards – 5

“I look forward to my home GP. Lots of friends and family are coming to see the race and it will be great to ride in front of the American fans. It won’t be an easy race as the track is very demanding. The circuit is one of the most varied and technical on the GP circuit, with a mix of fast straights and slow corners to do in first gear with tough braking.”

Aleix Espargaro – 41

“I really look forward to the second round of the season. In Qatar we had the pace to fight for the podium, but I paid the price for the two mistakes on Saturday. So we will just have to try and go for it again in Austin. We know that the Texas GP will be a tough race for us as there is a very long back straight (1.2-kilometre) and we suffer in that area, but I’m confident that we can continue improving and get some good results.”

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NGM Forward Racing Race Review Losail MotoGP

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It was a very good start of the 2014 season for the NGM Forward Racing Team in Qatar GP.

Aleix Espargaro made a stunning MotoGP debut on his Forward Yamaha under the Losail floodlights, finishing the race in fourth position and was the first rider of the new open spec to cross the finish line.

It was a good race also for his team mate Colin Edwards who, despite struggling a lot with the grip for the whole race, recovered important positions, closing in 9th place.

Thanks to the good results of Espargaro and Edwards, the NGM Forward Racing team leaves Qatar in third position of the Constructor Championship and in fourth place in the Team Classification with 20 points.

Aleix Espargaro - 4th

“I’m happy with this result for myself and the team. Yesterday’s two mistakes made my race really difficult. I started from the third row and I struggled a lot with the full tank to overtake the two Ducati, that had a great advantage in terms of top speed in the long straight. I didn’t want to make any mistakes, so I didn’t push as I wanted from the beginning. I was patient and waited for the right moment to pass.  It’s a pity because we had the pace to fight with the front guys but I have to be happy because we are 4th in the championship. I thank my team and Colin that gave me some parts of his second machine to rebuild my bike that was completely destroyed after yesterday’s qualifying crashes."

Colin Edwards - 9th

“It is not the race I wanted as I struggled a lot with the grip from the beginning. The main issue remains the same: I can’t get my bike turn. We will keep on working and I’m confident that we can improve.  I’m happy for the team. We got good points and I look forward to the Texas GP, my home race."

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NGM Forward Racing Review Losail MotoGP Day 3

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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

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NGM Forward Racing Review Losail MotoGP Day 2

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Action resumed today at the Losail Circuit in Qatar for the second and third free practice of the opening round of the 2014 MotoGP season.

It was another fantastic day for Aleix Espargaro who was the fastest rider in both practice sessions.  The Spaniard rider of the NGM Forward Racing Team  was quick to find a competitive pace with hard tyres and he was able to use at the best the soft tyre to close on top of the time sheets, recording 1’54’73, +0.413 ahead of Andrea Iannone, second and Alvaro Bautista, third.  

It was a positive day also for team mate Colin Edwards who was satisfied of his race pace with hard tyres, while he needs to improve the bike set up with the soft tyre in order to make a step forward tomorrow during the qualifying session.

The track conditions were quiet slippery  during the FP3 and the riders expect that it will be even worst for the race  that will take the start at 22:00. 

Colin Edwards -5 

“All in All it was a positive day. I have a good race pace with the hard tyre, but we need to adjust the bike set up to use all the potential with the soft tyre. This will be very important for tomorrow in the qualifying session. I’m really happy for Aleix, he did a great job and in the team we are all very excited."

Aleix Espargaro - 41

“I’m really happy to close the second day here in Qatar on top of the time sheets. We have a good race pace with the hard tyre and then we could make another step forward with the soft tyre. We have a good set up but we need to keep on working.  Tomorrow we aim at the front row in order to fight for the podium on Sunday.  We know that it won’t be easy as we loose a lot in terms of top speed on the long straight, but finishing on top for two days in arrow is already a fantastic result. Together with the team we are all very excited and motivated."

NGM Forward Racing Press Release

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NGM Forward Racing Review Losail MotoGP Day 1

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The opening round of the 2014 MotoGP Championship began this evening at the Losail Circuit in Qatar. The first free practice saw the NGM Forward racing rider  Aleix Espargaro on top of the time sheets already at the beginning of the session, while he was using the hard tyre, riding in 1.55”. The Spaniard was able to further improve his lap time, when he put the soft tyre, recording his best time of  1’55.201, securing the fastest time of the first free practice session of the 2014 season.

It was a very good start also for team mate Colin Edwards who finished in 8th position recording his best time of 1’56.626. Colin worked in preparation of the race, continuing the positive work done on this track during the last pre-season test.

Colin Edwards
“We tried the soft tyre at the beginning of the session and then we switched to the hard tyre. All in all it was a good session and I did my best lap with the hard tyre. I’m adapting my riding style to the bike instead of trying to change the bike set up.  I need to ride the bike on the rear and of course it’s not natural after 22 years but this is a new challenge that I take with great enthusiasm. I’m also very happy with Aleix’s result, he is doing great and I’m really excited for him."

Aleix Espargaro
“It’s a great start and it’s a good feeling to be on top of the time sheets.  We know that we had some advantage compared to the factory riders, because we were testing here two weeks ago and we started the practice session already with a good set up. Anyway I’m happy because I was fast with both soft and hard tyre.  I’m sure that tomorrow everybody will improve, but we also have room for improvement so I’m really excited to this start of the season. The most important thing is to keep on working and being focused, it’s just the first free practice and my target is to fight for the podium on Sunday."

NGM Forward Racing Press Release

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NGM Forward Racing Preview Losail MotoGP

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The long winter wait is over as the NGM Forward Racing Team prepares this week for the first race of the 2014 MotoGP season, the Grand Prix of Qatar, under the floodlights of the Losail International Circuit.

Aleix Espargaro arrives in Qatar confident to fight with the front riders, having delivered several impressive performance in winter testing in Sepang and recently at Losail with a race simulation at a race-winning pace.

Team mate Colin Edwards also looks forward to the first race. During the final pre-season test session, he was able to improve his feeling with the bike and consequently his lap times.  Colin can claim one podium finish at Losail in 2004 when a MotoGP round was hosted for the first time in the desert on the outskirts of Qatar’s capital city Doha.

Colin Edwards 

“I look forward to the start of the season in Qatar. I’m very happy to return on board of a Yamaha and to continue with the NGM Forward Racing Team. Together with the team we will work on the development of the bike and I’m confident that we can get good results.”

Aleix Espargaro 

“After the strong pre-season, I am really excited to make my debut in Qatar on board of the Forward Yamaha. It’s the first time, since I have been racing in MotoGP, that I arrive at the opening round of the season with the opportunity to fight for the front positions. I’d like to thank the NGM Forward Racing Team  for their trust and I hope to get good results for the whole team.”

NGM Forward Racing Press Release

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NGM Forward Racing Review Losail MotoGP Test Day 3

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Aleix Espargaro closed the final pre-season test at Losail Circuit on top, recording his best time of 1’54.874, less than 2 tenths from Jorge Lorenzo’s pole position from last year (1’54.714).

The Spaniard of the NGM Forward Racing Team continued the work started in Sepang, focusing on the set up of his bike in preparation of the race that will take place on this circuit in two weeks time. Aleix was able to ride fast and also looked strong in the race simulation (22 laps) which he carried out on this final day.

It was a positive day also for Colin Edwards who improved his lap times, chipping a few tenths off his previous day’s best time. In total he completed 31 laps and finished 7th in the combined classification of the three days with his best time of  1’55.978.

The NGM Forward Racing Team looks confident to the opening round of the 2014 season that will take place at Losail circuit on the 23rd of March.

Colin Edwards

“I’m quiet satisfied with these three days of testing. I could improve my lap times and also my feeling with the bike. Today we worked on the electronics with a positive feedback. There is still room for improvement but we have done a step forward. I’m comfortable with the bike and I look forward to the start of the season.”

Aleix Espargaro

“I’m really happy with the work done today. I was fast on the single lap but I was also able to ride with a strong pace. I’m very satisfied because in the race simulation I could ride with the same lap times Lorenzo did last year in the race, so I’m confident and I look forward to the first race.”

NGM Mobile Forward Racing Press Release

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NGM Forward Racing Review Losail MotoGP Test Day 1

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Thanks to the good track and weather conditions, Aleix Espargaro and Colin Edwards could continue to work on the set up of their Forward Yamaha FTR in preparation of the opening round of the Championship that will take place at Losail circuit on the 23rd of March.

The set up found in Sepang worked very well also at Losail for Aleix Espargaro who completed 43 laps and recorded his best time of 1’55.386, ahead of Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaro.

Colin Edwards was also able to improve his lap times during the day, finishing in 7th position, recording his best time of 1’56.961 on lap 31 of 34.

Colin Edwards – 5

 “I’m quite satisfied of the work done today.  We continued working, where we left in Sepang. My feeling with the bike improved, especially in the corners, and also my lap times and my position.  I have more confidence with the front, this means that we are working in the right direction, but there is still a lot of work to do.”

Aleix Espargaro – 41

“It was a very productive day. I was not so fast at the beginning, but when I put the hard front tyre I could find the same feeling as in Sepang and I could start to push. The feeling with both hard and soft tyre is good so I’m confident for the start of the season and the first races.”

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NGM Mobile Forward Racing Team Review Sepang MotoGP Test Day 3

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The second 2014 MotoGP pre-season test session ended today at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit with very positive results for the NGM Mobile Forward Racing Team.

Aleix Espargaró was very consistent along the three days of testing, scoring the 4th best time in the combined lap times classification with a top time of  2’00.101.  After having worked on the bike set up in the first two days, this morning he made a long run to check the bike behaviour on the race distance, showing a good pace.

Colin Edwards continued working on the bike set up. He also tested some new solutions in preparation of the race distance. In total he completed 23 laps, Aleix 43.

The NGM Forward Racing Team will be back on track  for the last MotoGP Test session scheduled in Qatar from the 7th to the 9th of March.

Aleix Espargaro – 41

“I’m very happy with how we progressed in these three days of testing. We started where we left here in Sepang 1 and I could work on the second bike and on the race distance. I’m very satisfied with the data gathered during the long run. We were competitive and now I look forward to confirm my feeling in Qatar, where we will do another test session before the opening race of the season”.

Colin Edwards – 5

“We continued working on the bike set up to improve the feeling with the bike in the corners. We tried several solutions but I still don’t have the right confidence to push as I am used to. We also worked on the electronics with positive results and we focused on the tank to check the fuel consumption as we would like to take advantage of the possibility to use all the 24 liters that the Open class has at disposal. We gathered important data and I’d like to thank my team for the work done during these three days”.

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NGM Mobile Forward Racing Team Review Sepang MotoGP Test Day 2

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It was another positive day for the NGM Forward Racing Team at Sepang circuit with Aleix Espargaró finishing second (2.00.320), only 0.281 behind Dani Pedrosa, the fastest rider today, after having been on top of the time sheets for almost the whole test session.

On board of his Forward Yamaha FTR, Aleix could improve his lap times already during the morning session, then in the afternoon he continued working on the set up of the first and second machine. Despite the torrid temperatures that obliged the riders to stay in the garage in the early hours of the afternoon, the Spaniard succeeded to lower his lap times, closing with a very positive  2’00.320.

It was a positive day also for his team mate Colin Edwards, who celebrated his 40th anniversary.  In total Colin

completed 45 laps, 2’01.996 was his best time.

Tomorrow the NGM Forward Racing Team will be back on track for the third and final day of testing at Sepang racetrack, in Malaysia.

 Colin Edwards

“I’m satisfied of the work done today. I could improve my feeling with the front and I could make the bike turn better, but there is still a lot of work to do. I think I need to adapt my riding style to the new bike and also to get closer to the style used nowadays by the youngest riders in order to enter and exit the corners as I like. Anyway in the middle of today’s test session I could do my best lap time and I want to thank the team for the great job.”

 Aleix Espargaro

“Today we worked on the set up of the two machines and I’m very confident because last year I never succeeded to have the same confidence on both bikes. Here in less than 2 days I have found a good feeling and I’m very satisfied. In the afternoon I tested the new Magneti Marelli software, which is a step forward especially when the tyres start to drop. I hope we can do a long run tomorrow and check how the bike work on the race distance.”

NGM Mobile Forward Racing Press Release

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NGM Mobile Forward Racing Team Review Sepang MotoGP Test Day 1

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The first day of the second MotoGP test session at Sepang circuit in preparation of the 2014 season saw Aleix Espargaró scoring the second fastest lap time with 2’00.900, only 52 thousandths of a second behind Alvaro Bautista, the fastest rider today.

Cautious during the morning, when the track was quiet dirt, the Spaniard of the NGM Forward Racing Team improved his pace in the afternoon. In total Aleix completed 31 laps and for a good part of the afternoon session Aleix was on top of the time sheet.

It was a good start also for Colin Edwards, who was the fastest Open on track this morning. Colin worked on the bike set up, completing 47 laps, scoring a positive lap time of 2’.02.743

The test will continue tomorrow and will finish on Friday.

 Colin Edwards

“The track was very dirty this morning and I couldn’t push as I wanted. This afternoon the track conditions were better but I couldn’t find a good feeling and I was not so comfortable entering the corners. We tested several solutions, but I couldn’t improve my lap time. We will continue working later today to find something to make a step forward tomorrow.”

Aleix Espargaro

“I’m happy of today’s result. It was important to work on the set up of the second bike and we did it. During the morning session I did only few laps because I couldn’t push as I wanted. We worked also on the electronics and things improved in the afternoon. This is just the first day, tomorrow we will continue working on the second bike.”

NGM Mobile Forward Racing Press Release

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NGM Mobile Forward Racing Review Sepang MotoGP Test Day 3

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The first pre-season MotoGP test of 2014 ended today at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit with great satisfaction for the NGM Mobile Forward Racing Team that was able to make very good results and gather important data for the setting of the machine.

Aleix Espargaró was the great revelation of this test session, improving his lap times every day. Today he rode in 1’59.998 impressing everybody as only him, Marc Marquez, Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo were be able to ride under 2’00”.

Aleix Espargaró took full advantage of the third day to make a long run to know better the bike and the electronics as he is still struggling a lot when the tyres drop down. Colin Edwards continued to work on the chassis and the electronics to improve the feeling with the front. In the afternoon a change at the engine brake represented a step forward and Colin is confident for the next Sepang test.

The NGM Mobile Forward Racing Team will be back on track at Sepang from the 26th to the 28th of February for the second test session in preparation of the 2014 season. 

Colin Edwards

“It was a very positive test for the whole team. We know that we can count on a competitive package and there is a lot of potential. We worked on the electronics to make the bike steer better and played with the engine brake. We found some interesting solutions so I look forward to the next test session”.

Aleix Espargaro
“I’m really happy with the bike and the team. We made a good step forward with the setting of the machine but there is still a lot of work to do. Today we did a long run to understand better how the bike and the electronics work, but we are still struggling a lot when the tyres drop down. I’m confident because this is just the first test. We will all continue to work and I also have to adapt my riding style to the new machine. I couldn’t leave Sepang with a better result!”.

NGM Mobile Forward Racing Press Release

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NGM Mobile Forward Racing Review Sepang MotoGP Test Day 2

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It was another productive day for the NGM Mobile Forward Racing Team with Colin Edwards focused on the overall development of the machine and Aleix Espargaró, focusing on knowing better the bike and its limits.

Aleix continued to impress with a very good lap time (2’00.547), finishing in the top 5, at only 6 thousands from Marc Marquez, today the fastest rider on track, and second rider with a machine powered by Yamaha.

Aleix Espargaró worked on the chassis and tested several tyres in order to improve the general feeling of the bike, while his team mate Colin Edwards worked on the chassis and the electronics, completing 35 laps and finishing 15th (2.02.545).

Colin Edwards 

“Today we worked mainly on chassis and electronics. We are working step by step as the bike is not turning as I would like, but I’m confident as we are working in the right direction”.

Aleix Espargaro

“I’m very satisfied because this morning I could improve my lap times and I was riding with a good confidence. Of course there is a lot of work to do, I need to know better the bike and to adapt my riding style to the new machine. Tomorrow we will do a long run to understand better how the bike and especially the electronics work in the second part of the race”.

NGM Mobile Forward Racing Press Release

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NGM Mobile Forward Racing Review Valencia MotoGP Test Day 2

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After a first day in the pits working on the Yamaha– FTR Colin Edward and Aleix Espargaro have finally tested the Yamaha – FTRearly this morning.

The Spanish rider was the first one to exit with thebike at 11am this morning to do the first test of the bike, he completed 18 laps and gave his first impressions of the bike. Espargaro is very happy with this first outing with the bike, he says the bike has exceeded his expectations at this early stage of its development.

Colin Edwards was able to complete 34 laps of to test the Yamaha – FTR. The American rider is happy to be back on a bike with a Yamaha engine and is very positive in his first impressions of the collaboration between Yamaha and FTR. Edwards and the team know that there is a lot of work to be done before the first race of the season in Qatar but look forward to the winter testing period.   

Colin Edwards

“I am happy to be back on a Yamaha, it feels good,the bike is good. We are still building the bike with FTR, we have some initial comments from today: seating position, handlebar position these are some of the things that when you are building a bike you have to work on but feeling pretty good about it. The geometry of the bikes feels good, maybe a couple of tweaks here and there but I am happy with it. I definitely had issues with the electronics today, it is something that we spent all this year developing and didn’t get to use, you might ask yourself why. Obviously with Yamaha we have to take it one step at a time and they have a program that they want to put in,get some initial feedback into it, they know the bikes works good on that program, so we had to run that. I’m looking forward to getting back on the bike and keep testing.”

AleixEspargaro

“I am happy; I did not expect the bike to be this good right from the start.  I just did 17 laps today because we only have one bike and Colin used it in the afternoon, I will continue working tomorrow. The first impression is really good, the bike is working well, FTR did a really good job in just four weeks time so I am really happy. We have a lot to do in terms of the electronics and in other little things but it being the first day today out on the bike. To be the first day, I was able to push a few laps and it means we are doing things well.”

NGM Mobile Forward Racing Press Release

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Power Electronics Aspar Preview MotoGP Valencia

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Whilst the MotoGP World Championship will be decided this Sunday the title of CRT Champion was tied up two races ago by POWER ELECTRONICS Aspar rider Aleix Espargaró. The Spaniard signs off from the team this weekend determined to score the victory that eluded him due to a crash last time out at Motegi. His team-mate Randy De Puniet is also determined to make the most of the ART bike's suitability to the Valencia circuit layout as he looks to end the season on a high and, if possible, secure the runner-up spot in the CRT Chhampionship.

Aleix Espargaró: 

“I am really looking forward to racing at home this weekend. It will be a special and emotional weekend for me because it is the end of an important era in my life, being my final race with the POWER ELECTRONICS Aspar Team. I really want to say goodbye to the team with the best possible result. The bike has given us some great results over the past two years so hopefully we can produce one more. Even though we tied up the CRT championship already in Australia we have gone two races without a win now for one reason or another so the objective is clear: we want to win this one and finish the season with a smile. It is quite a tight circuit and I think that should suit us so we will be doing everything we can to make the most of our advantage and score a top result.”

Randy De Puniet: 

“I really like Valencia and it has been a good circuit for me in the past. We are in good form, my feeling with the bike over the past two races has been good and I hope this continues through to this Sunday. If we keep working in the same way we have recently then I am sure we can end the season with a good result, which is important. Normally I prefer faster circuits but there are some sections of this track that I really like and I am sure our bike will adapt well. The objective is to finish the races as the top CRT and hopefully score four more points than Colin Edwards to finish ahead of him as runner-up in the CRT championship.”

Power Electronics Aspar Press Release

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Randy De Puniet Shows Most Competitive Side at Phillip Island

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Randy De Puniet was so happy today that he did not want to get off his bike, and by the end of the day had racked up no fewer than 45 laps. After getting back on form with his setup at Sepang last Sunday, today he began the Australian GP a good feeling from the first minute. Ninth in the morning and eighth in the afternoon, the POWER ELECTRONICS Aspar rider closed the day 1.2 seconds off the fastest time. Conversely, his teammate Aleiz Espargaró was not as competitive as in recent rounds. The lack of feeling with the front end forced him to slow down in the opening session, and an incident with the engine of his first bike prevented him from improving in the afternoon. Nevertheless, the POWER ELECTRONICS Aspar rider finished in thirteenth place, just over two seconds behind Lorenzo.

Randy De Puniet 

"I am very happy because today went great. Right from this morning everything worked perfectly. It’s been several races since we’ve looked so competitive, and I really enjoyed riding today. The team did a great job, and this allowed me to set good times. I believe that today the position obtained was also optimal. Besides all these satisfactions, I am happy that we have already worked with the race in mind, and it makes me very optimistic that we have been consistent throughout the day. The goal tomorrow will be to maintain the same performance level, to get prepared for qualifying and achieve the best possible position on the grid. In my opinion the new asphalt is very good with fewer bumps, and that increases our sense of security. Phillip Island is one of the best circuits in the world and with this new surface is even better."

Aleix Espargaro

"The truth is that today the day did not go as expected. In the first session I did not feel comfortable on the bike, so we planned some changes for the second session. We tried to improve the feel of the front end, in order to allow us to brake later. At the start of the afternoon we had an issue with the engine that forced us to go out on track with the second bike, but the feeling was different so I did not go as fast as intended. Today we had a repeat of what happened last season; the first day at Phillip Island was a strange one for us."

Power Electronics Aspar Press Release

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Aleix Espargaro Ready to Continue CRT Leads in Misano

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Aspar rider Aleix Espargaró showed no signs of weariness during the recent triple-header, finishing as the top CRT at Indianapolis, Brno and Silverstone. It is a run he is determined to continue at Misano, a circuit that should also allow him to reduce the gap to the prototype machines. The Spaniard currently lies tenth overall in the championship on 68 points, a tally he is keen to add to this Sunday

Aleix Espargaró: 

“We have been through an intense period of races and to be honest it was nice to spend a few days at home to disconnect. I haven't exactly been resting because I competed in the Barcelona 24 hour car race but mentally I was able to recharge my batteries and get ready for Misano. I am really looking forward to racing there after being at circuits recently where we have been losing out a lot to the prototypes, like Silverstone or Brno. I am sure that things will be closer at Misano, which is a fun track and a place where I have good memories from the last few seasons. As always our objective will be to do our jobs to the best of our ability and continue to be the leading force in CRT.”

Power Electronic Aspar Press Release

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