Ben Spies back to Dallas for further tests

Tweet

Ben Spies, who didn’t line up on the starting grid for this 10th round of the MotoGP World Championship at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, will fly back to Dallas tomorrow to undergo further examinations to evaluate the damages suffered as a result of yesterday’s fall during the third free practice session.

Only after a careful evaluation will it be possible to determine the recovery period required for the Texan to return to the track in optimal condition.

Ducati Test Team rider Michele Pirro will temporarily replace the Texan during the Czech Republic Grand Prix that will take place on 25 August.

Ben Spies – Ignite Pramac Racing Team

“I didn’t get too much sleep last night, as my shoulder’s a little painful since I didn’t take much pain medicine yesterday. Now I’ll rest up for the next couple days. I fly back to Dallas on Monday, and on Tuesday I’ll see with my doctor if I need surgery or not, and also make sure my wrist is okay. I’ll try to come back as soon as possible, but I also want to come back at 100%. There’s no reason for me to rush back just to fill the grid, but definitely this injury is nothing like the right shoulder; the pain is very bad right now, but the healing process won’t be anything near the other one—I know that for sure. We just need to do the right things, follow the doctors’ orders again, and rehab. This injury won’t even affect me in a few months, but I need to do the right things the right way.”

Pramac Racing Team Press Release

read more...

Ben Spies Regain Confidence at Indy

Tweet

Ben Spies returned to the MotoGP World Championship in a positive frame of mind today after missing the last 4 races of the calendar, due to the intense physiotherapy required to recover from the damage suffered at the end of the 2012 season. The Texan ended the two free practice sessions with a best lap of 1'41.145, which was over one second faster than his morning session time.

Currently the Texan’s aim is to regain confidence, in the shortest possible time, with his Desmosedici GP13 machine, and to find the necessary pace to obtain the best possible results in the remaining 9 races of the 2013 season.

Ben Spies – Ignite Pramac Racing Team 

“Indianapolis has been a really good track in the past for me. It’s difficult, after three months of forced stop, to get back on the bike on such a physical track, with a lot of changes of direction, chicanes and slippery asphalt. Anyway I like this circuit a lot and the fans here at home. We have a lot of work to do but we will try to get back step by step. I am satisfied about today’s results during the two FP sessions and my aim for tomorrow is to get closer to the Ducati Factory riders and possibly to enter in the Top Ten for Qualifying without doing too much to avoid risks. We will take our time but I finally feel good in riding my bike.“

Pramac Racing Team Press Release

read more...

Ben Spies Ready To Ride at the Brickyard

Tweet

The circuit, where Ben finished second and third in front of his home crowd in 2010 and 2011, respectively, is one of the world's best known, and certainly the most famous “oval.” Built in 1909, the first motorsports event it hosted was a motorcycle race, followed two years later by the first Indianapolis 500 auto race. It has hosted a MotoGP round annually since 2008. Originally, the track was covered with a mixture of crushed stone and tar, but after the first sporting events of 1909, the surface was changed using 3.2 million bricks, earning the facility its “Brickyard” nickname. In 1937, it was almost completely covered with more-suitable asphalt, apart from a portion in the start-finish line that still uses the traditional bricks.

Ben Spies – Ignite Pramac Racing Team

“It’s been a rough year to say the least. It feels good to finally be back, and now it’s more like I can get back on the bike and ride, and not tell the little white lies I said to journalists at the beginning of the season, like that we were ready to ride when clearly we were never close to 100%. But now we can get on with the business and a kind of start the season. I’m looking forward to it, as it’s been too much of a break. I haven’t ridden a motorcycle since Mugello, and it’s really been since last year that we’ve been fast on a bike, so we need to get back in form and slowly get there. It’s a good track to come back at, and I have good memories here. I’m just looking forward to getting back on, trying to get faster and faster each session, and seeing where we can end up on Sunday. Then we’ll go from there in the next couple of weeks. The start of the season for me was just nothing. It was like riding a bike in a situation where you just can’t hold on to it. It was horrible, and we ended up doing more damage and setting ourselves too far back. It’s typical of athletes to try to come back too soon, but now I can say we’re ready to ride. We just have to get back up to speed, which might take a little bit but not too long, and we’ll see how it goes.”

Pramac Racing Team Press Release

read more...

Ben Spies Nearly Ready to Return to Action

Tweet

After a lengthy absence from the Ignite Pramac Racing Team garage, Ben Spies today made an appearance at the Laguna Seca circuit and confirmed that he will return to the championship from the Indianapolis race (August 16-18) onwards.

Ben Spies - Ignite Pramac Racing Team

Now is the first time in a long time that I’m really happy because my fitness is coming along well. At the beginning of the season, we came back too soon, and I had another injury at Austin because I wasn’t strong enough to ride. Sometimes injuries make more injuries. Ducati and I and the Italian doctor and my American doctor made the best decision to come back in the right way and not push things. I wish this race were about two weeks later so that we could be here, but I saw the doctor two days ago and everything is right on schedule, so I look forward to coming back at Indy and being 100%. We’ve missed a lot of the season, but I’m looking forward to basically starting my season at Indy and getting back to where we need to be.

Now, I have confidence in myself in terms of fitness, but of course I know I won’t be back up to speed in one session because I haven’t ridden the bike lately. I know there have been a lot of rumours, but I know that this break that we took to get me back to 100% was the smartest thing to do. Now I can go to Indy and know that I’m where I need to be with my health, and all I need to do is work on getting back up to speed. It’s the first time in eight months that I’ve had that feeling. 

I’ve been doing rehab three to four days a week at the best rehab place in Dallas and one of the best in the U.S. They look at me from day to day and see what I need to work on. When they see that something needs to be stronger, they change the program. People don’t see me at the races, but I’ve been working my butt off at home to get back to where I need to be. It’s taken a lot longer than I or anybody wanted it to, but there’s nothing we can do about that.

Pramac Racing Team Press Release

read more...

Alex De Angelis and Ignite Pramac Racing Team together at Laguna Seca

Tweet

Alex De Angelis is to step in as replacement rider for Ben Spies at Laguna Seca on the Ignite Pramac Racing Team’s Ducati Desmosedici GP13. The man from San Marino will be able to take part in the second US round this year due to the fact that the Moto2 World Championship is not scheduled to race that weekend.

Michele Pirro, Ducati’s tester and rider, will continue to replace the Texan until Sachsenring, but will not be able to take part in the American race because he is involved in a test session scheduled for Misano from 23 to 25 July.

Ben Spies is expected to return to racing at the Indianapolis Grand Prix on August 18. 

Alex is not new to the top class, having already taken part in two seasons of MotoGP in 2008 and 2009, and also in 2010 as replacement rider for the injured Hiroshi Aoyama in three rounds.

De Angelis, who currently rides for the NGM Mobile Forward Racing Team, will get his first opportunity to try out the Desmosedici GP13, during the forthcoming Ducati test session scheduled for Misano this coming week. Alex will test the bike on Thursday 4 July.

The Pramac Racing Team and Ducati wish to thank the NGM Mobile Forward Racing Team and the San Marino rider for their availability in making possible this collaboration.

Pramac Ducati Press Release

read more...

Ben Spies forced into a further stop

Tweet

Unfortunately yesterday’s free practice sessions highlighted the muscular problems still afflicting Ben Spies.

The intense rehabilitation activities which the Texan has undergone in the last 4 weeks have brought about a clear improvement but it still not sufficient for Spies to demonstrate his true potential on the track.

After an analysis of the situation, the Pramac Racing Team, Ducati Corse and the rider have taken the mutual decision to continue rehabilitation and physiotherapy and to interrupt all track activities to allow Ben to complete his total physical recovery.

In the next few days Ben Spies will undergo further medical checks in order to have a clearer appraisal of the situation and evaluate the treatment to be followed for full recovery.

Pramac Racing Team Press Release

You can give your opinion on our Facebook page here
Get the latest update on our Twitter page here

read more...

Not Easy for Ben Spies on Day 1 Mugello Practice

Tweet

Ben Spies, back in the paddock after the five weeks away from the Moto championship, maintained a constant pace, closing out the morning's FP1 among the first ten in the rankings and registering a time of 1:51.105 at the end of FP2, the last session of the day. 

Compared to this morning's session, when the track was neither wet nor dry, this second part of the day took place on a dry track, allowing the Texan to regain confidence in his motorcycle and build toward Sunday's race. 

Ben Spies – Ignite Pramac Racing Team

“I feel a lot better. In doing everyday things, I've seen a huge improvement, but riding a bike is a completely different story. It’s not that easy, and we have to figure out the best direction to take. Today’s weather conditions were pretty difficult for getting back on the track. The second session was better, but it’s hard to get back on the bike, and I'm just trying to get back up to speed and get used to everything. It’s now more a weakness and instability problem than pain, but I know I'm still not 100% and it shows. I can't control everything yet, and I'm not happy about it, even though I expected it. Compared to Qatar and Austin, the straight-line braking strength is much better here, but on change of direction, especially in third and fourth gear chicanes while controlling the throttle and getting back on brakes--that’s where I'm struggling. I feel much more comfortable on the bike, and it's good to see and talk with the guys. Let’s see what happens tomorrow.”

You can give your opinion on our Facebook page here
Get the latest update on our Twitter page here

read more...

Ben Spies Come Back at Mugello Track

Tweet

In the Ignite Pramac Racing Team pit work has resumed with ‘head’ pilot Ben Spies, who will be calling on information gathered during the French GP, in collaboration with test pilot Michele Pirro. 

The team will be greeting Ben with a "Welcome Home" to this Italian circuit, where in 2011, in his second year in MotoGP, he earned a 4th place finish. 

Ben Spies –Ignite Pramac Racing Team

“I'm better than before. I’ve worked intensively to prepare the muscles for the effort required by a MotoGP bike, and especially the Desmosedici, and now I’m here with the team, ready to get back to work. I’m certainly not at 100% fitness yet, but in the next few days I’ll understand better as I ride my bike. The Mugello circuit isn’t the easiest one for making my return, as the track is challenging, and since it’s Ducati’s ‘house,’ there will be a lot of pressure and a lot of fans! Still, I'm happy to get back to competing in the World Championship and I would like to thank Michele Pirro for having worked with the team in my absence at Le Mans GP.”

read more...

Ben Spies back on track at Mugello

Tweet

Following today’s additional medical check in Dallas, the doctor supervising Ben Spies recommended that the Texan undergo a period of extended rehabilitation.

Despite his wish to return to the track as soon as possible, Spies will miss the French Grand Prix and will join the team again at the end of May, at Mugello.

At Le Mans, Ducati Test Team rider, Michele Pirro, will ride the Ignite Pramac Racing Team Desmosedici GP13.

Pramac Racing Team Press Release

You can give your opinion on our Facebook page here
Get the latest update on our Twitter page here

read more...

No Replacement for Ben Spies at Jerez

Tweet

There will be no substitute rider for Ignite Pramac Racing Team racer Ben Spies, who stayed back home in Texas in order to undergo intensive treatment as he works to regain his physical fitness following the operation to his shoulder and the problem with his pectoral muscle, suffered during the last round, in Austin. Best of luck to the team and to Spies, who will be back at Le Mans in just fifteen days.

Ben Spies

“I want to give good luck wishes to the team for the race and also thank everyone who has sent me their best wishes for my recovery. I am doing my absolute best to get back to 100%, where I need to be, for the team and Ducati.”

Pramac Racing Team Press Release

You can give your opinion on our Facebook page here
Get the latest update on our Twitter page here

read more...

Ben Spies to miss Jerez race

Tweet

Unfortunately, the pain felt by the Ignite Pramac Racing Team rider at the end of the warm up during last weekend in Austin (Texas), has had more serious consequences than expected. 

As a result, Ben Spies will not be able to race at the next round of the Championship, held on May 5th in Jerez, Spain.

After taking part regularly in the Texan race, in which he finished in 13th position, the American rider was seen by his medical staff, who advised him three consecutive weeks of intense rehab in order to alleviate the strain in his pectorals and back muscles.

Despite the constant improvement in the condition of his shoulder after recent surgery, Ben still needs further intense work to build up his muscle, and to acquire the necessary strength which will enable him to endure the stress during the race. Therefore the therapy will be different to what he has done so far, focused on limb mobility, thanks to his better physical condition. These three weeks of therapy will allow the Texan to be back for the Le Mans race.

Pramac Racing Team Press Release

You can give your opinion on our Facebook page here
Get the latest update on our Twitter page here

read more...

Physical problems slow Ignite Pramac Racing Team rider

Tweet

Ignite Pramac Racing Team rider Ben Spies suffered from a problem in his chest that struck during the morning warm-up session, preventing him from riding at the level he had shown himself capable of during the previous sessions, in which he had steadily reduced his best time. He finished in thirteenth place, with a best lap time of 2:06.607.

Ben Spies - Ignite Pramac Racing Team

“I had a little problem with a nerve in my chest for some reason. I don’t know if it’s from overcompensating for my shoulder problem, which is actually getting a lot better compared to Qatar. That said, two laps before the end of the warm-up, I had a twinge in my chest. It was like a knife, so we went to the clinic and they worked on me a lot and got me ready for the race. I tried as hard as I could during the race, but it wasn’t enough. At 8 laps to go, it was either come in or salvage whatever points we could. We need to work harder and get back to 100% and just keep working with the bike. I’m more disappointed for the team, friends, family, fans, Ducati, and Ignite Pramac, because they deserve better.”

Pramac Racing Team Press Release

You can give your opinion on our Facebook page here
Get the latest update on our Twitter page here

read more...

The Pramac Racing Team Looks Forward to Austin Race

Tweet

A beautiful, sunny day greeted the MotoGP riders for the second, important day of the championship’s second round, raising the air temperature to 24˚ C and the asphalt temperature to 43˚ C.

Both Pramac Racing Team riders took to the technical, challenging Austin circuit, determined to improve their times, along with the bikes’ settings ahead of the race.

At the end of that session, the Texan was tenth-best after lowering his best time from yesterday by over a second, advancing him directly into Q2, where he earned the 12th spot on tomorrow’s grid.

Ben Spies – Ignite Pramac Racing Team

“I’m not happy at all. We made some changes to the bike this morning and I kind of went backwards. I’m pretty disappointed, but realistically, if the bike setting would’ve been good, we only would have been one row ahead, so it doesn’t make a big difference. We need to look at some data to try to figure it out and get a good start and try to be in the top ten in the race again. I struggle a little bit in the hard braking zones, but anyway, I’m giving a 100% like always.”

Despite a good improvement in FP3, giving him a time of 2:07.749 (two seconds faster than yesterday), the Italian had to take part in Q1. He’ll start tomorrow’s race from the 13th position on the grid.

Andrea Iannone – Energy T.I. Pramac Racing Team

“It was a busy day, and although we improved steadily during the sessions, it wasn’t enough to make it into Q2. Unfortunately, when I went into Q1, I went slower than my best time, so I didn’t get a good qualifying position. Anyway, the situation isn’t bad. I have a hard time on this track, so we have to try to solve our problems in order to improve. I’m satisfied with the team and with the work that we’re doing. I’ll give myself some more races to improve, but I hope that soon I’ll manage to take a step forward and go faster.”

Pramac Racing Team Press Release

You can give your opinion on our Facebook page here
Get the latest update on our Twitter page here

read more...

Bittersweet day for Pramac Racing Team at COTA

Tweet

The Circuit of the Americas—the first of three American tracks on the 2013 MotoGP calendar—today added its first page to the championship’s history book.

Like most of the riders, the Pramac Racing Team racers approached this challenging day, which featured the traditional first two free-practice sessions, by endeavoring to learn the correct lines and to get up to pace on the unfamiliar circuit.

The windy conditions and the slippery asphalt made the task more difficult, but the team was prepared.

Unfortunately, Andrea Iannone suffered significantly from the lack of grip, which prevented him from confidently riding this new circuit and made it more difficult for him to learn the proper lines. Tomorrow will be an important opportunity to accumulate as much data as possible in order to be as prepared as possible for the race on Sunday.

Andrea Iannone – Energy T.I. Pramac Racing Team

“Today was quite difficult. I had trouble finding the right feeling with the bike, and I don’t have the confidence to push hard. I feel the bike sliding, and I feel hesitant. Anyway, I’m optimistic for tomorrow, which will be very important for us. Despite everything, I like the entire track and I hope to get closer to the other Ducati riders, as I’ve always managed to do before.”

Some positive changes were made to the bike of the Ignite Pramac Racing Team rider Ben Spies, and although the Texan’s shoulder still isn’t completely fit, he managed to set a time of 2:12.813 at the end of the first session, and to improve that by over six seconds at the end of FP2. The laps he did at the circuit last month, though not aboard a MotoGP bike, proved helpful.

Ben Spies – Ignite Pramac Racing Team

“It was a good day. We changed the bike quite a bit in the second session, and I got the feel of it and closed the gap to the factory Ducatis. I got some laps in, and now we’ve got some good data to look at. We’ll try to take another couple of steps for tomorrow if the track gets better, and just keep closing the gap to the front guys.”

Pramac Racing Team Press Release

You can give your opinion on our Facebook page here
Get the latest update on our Twitter page here

read more...

Top Ten for Pramac Racing Team

Tweet

The long wait for the 2013 MotoGP championship finished at 10 p.m. Qatar time, when Losail International Circuit’s start light flashed off and the first race of the season got underway.

The Pramac Racing Team finished its race weekend with solid top-ten finishes by both of its riders, Andrea Iannone (Energy T.I. Pramac Racing Team) and Ben Spies (Ignite Pramac Racing Team), with the pair taking the checkered flag just behind fellow Ducati riders Andrea Dovizioso and Nicky Hayden.

The Italian stayed in the draft of the group in front of him for nearly half the race, at which point arm pump in his right forearm caused him to lose contact. Nonetheless, he was still able to finish his first MotoGP race in ninth place.

Despite his right shoulder still not being at 100%, the American soldiered on to finish the race in tenth place.

Andrea Iannone – Energy T.I. Pramac Racing Team

“It was really difficult with my arm. We tried injections because that was probably the only way to relieve the pain, but after just four laps I couldn’t take it anymore. I’m sorry because I thought I could have stayed with Nicky for a bit longer, but I realized that I couldn’t manage it. I also began losing grip pretty early, after just six laps. I had tried to change the bike settings to see if the situation would improve, but it didn’t happen, so I just raced in pain. I’m satisfied though, as we’re in the top ten, and we’ll see if we can close the gap in the future.”

Ben Spies – Ignite Pramac Racing Team

“It was the best tenth place I’ve ever had in my life. The race was good. We get off to a good start, but I knew I couldn’t run with a good pace for a long time. I was actually worried before the race, because after yesterday’s crash and straining my shoulder in practice, I didn’t think we’d be able to finish. Once I saw that the top ten wasn’t impossible, I just pushed as hard as I could, and I was able to make it. I just want to thank the guys for doing everything they could to make the bike easier to ride, and I was happy. We finished the first race, and that’s the most important.” 

Francesco Guidotti – Team Manager Pramac Racing Team

“Overall, it was a positive weekend, as we get a lot of satisfaction from putting both of our riders in the top ten despite both riders’ physical conditions. Ben is still suffering from the injury to his right shoulder, and Andrea had a problem with his arm that he had never experienced in the tests. I would like to thanks the Mobile Clinic for having help both riders. I would say we’re very satisfied.

Pramac Racing Team Press Release

You can give your opinion on our Facebook page here
Get the latest update on our Twitter page here

read more...

First Top Ten start for Andrea Iannone

Tweet

The floodlights were back on for the third consecutive night at Qatar’s Losail International Circuit, which was covered by a thin layer of sand following a day of strong winds in Doha.

Andrea Iannone continues to suffer from arm pump in his right forearm, which prevented the Italian from riding his bike aggressively during this evening’s qualifying sessions. Nevertheless, the runner-up position obtained in Q1 allowed him to take part in the Q2, in which he clocked an excellent time of 1'56.523, putting him in tenth position on the starting grid for tomorrow night’s race.

Andrea Iannone – Energy T.I. Pramac Racing Team

“Unfortunately, after riding in Q1, I only had one soft tyre left for Q2, or I probably could have done something better. Along with my team, I want to understand how to change my riding, because I have some problem in tight corners. However, I improved my time in every session, and I think that’s absolutely a positive. My goal now is to finish the race inside the top ten.”

Having just missed out on making the top ten in the free-practice sessions, which would have advanced him directly into Q2 for this evening’s debut of MotoGP’s new qualifying format, Ben Spies had to take part in Q1.

However, just minutes into the final free-practice session, the American lost the front end of his bike on the slippery track surface and suffered a hard fall. Fortunately, he didn’t land on his still-recovering left shoulder, but the crash nonetheless affected his performance in Q1.

Ben Spies - Ignite Pramac Racing Team
“The session was going okay for us at first. We were just working on race setup with old tyres on from yesterday, and we actually started to get faster and gain some confidence. Then I just got into turn 2 too hot and I grabbed a lot of front brake and went down at pretty good speed. Fortunately, we were able to get up and go out with the second bike. The problem was that the back of the bike had a completely different setting, and I couldn’t get up to the same speed that I was at before and get into Q2. Overall, it was good to get back on the bike, and it was good that we were getting up to speed. I’m sorry for the team, and we’ll come back tomorrow.”

Pramac Racing Press Release

You can give your opinion on our Facebook page here
Get the latest update on our Twitter page here

read more...

Steady improvement for Pramac Racing Team at Losail

Tweet

It was 6.00 p.m., local time, when the second evening of timed practice sessions got underway, though rain had briefly threatened to delay the proceedings. Instead, it was a strong wind that accompanied the entire session, affecting the state of the circuit, which was made particularly slippery by a thin layer of sand.

Ben’s feeling with the bike continued to improve, enabling him to lower his best time by 1.2 seconds compared to yesterday, despite his shoulder still not being 100% fit.

Ben Spies - Ignite Pramac Racing Team

“I’m okay, even though tonight’s session didn’t go exactly the way we wanted. We tried something a little bit different before our practice, and it didn’t work out. We had to make a change during the session, which cost me some time. We know we missed about 50% of testing due to my injury and learning a new bike, so realistically, our testing is starting now. It was the first time that we pushed the bike hard, and I’m learning things about it. We’re changing stuff and getting used to it, but we need more time. The feeling with the bike is getting better every time out.”

Andrea’s feeling with the bike continued to improve, enabling him to lower his best time by 1.2 seconds compared to yesterday, despite his shoulder still not being 100% fit.

Some small changes were made to Andrea’s bike since last night, enabling him to better understand the direction to follow. Although the Italian suffered from pain in his forearm, this evening’s pair of practice sessions provided an opportunity for him to gain experience with the bike on this challenging track, and his time improved by over 1.3 seconds compared to yesterday.

Andrea Iannone - Energy T.I. Pramac Racing Team

“Fortunately, my right forearm didn’t hurt as much during FP3, as the pain had forced me to return to the garage on the fourth lap of tonight’s first session. I wasn’t able to control the bike, and I lacked strength. Nonetheless, we were able to make some small changes to the bike, and they allowed me to improve quite a bit and to give a clearer idea of the direction to take. I still don’t have much reference on this track, so I definitely need to do more laps.”

Pramac Racing Press Release

You can give your opinion on our Facebook page here
Get the latest update on our Twitter page here

read more...

Pramac Racing Team Review FP1 Losail Qatar

Tweet

Energy T.I. Pramac Racing Team rider Andrea Iannone faced the first timed practice session of the 2013 World Championship season, hosted under the floodlights at Qatar's 5380mt Losail Circuit, aiming to put in as many laps as possible with the same set of tyres.

The Italian preferred to improve his pace lap-by-lap rather than stopping often to adjust the bike’s setting.

Andrea ended the positive first day with a good feeling and 12th place result, thanks to a time of 1'58.559.

Andrea Iannone

"I had to stop immediately after the first lap because we had a problem with the gear lever, but the guys were very quick to address the issue and I didn’t lose too much time. I have a completely new feeling with the bike on this track, and I feel a little bit lost. During the first part of the session, I couldn’t find the right braking point. I'm happy anyway, and tomorrow I hope to improve my pace.”

Ignite Pramac Racing Team rider Ben Spies faced the first timed practice session of the 2013 World Championship season, hosted under the floodlights at Qatar's 5380mt Losail Circuit, aiming to put in as many laps as possible with the same set of tyres.

The Texan preferred to improve his pace lap-by-lap rather than stopping often to adjust the bike’s setting.

Ben ended the positive first day with a good feeling and 13th place result, thanks to a time of 1'58.575.

Ben Spies – Ignite Pramac Racing Team

“Today is Thursday, and it’s good to get the first session out of the way. We weren’t exactly where we wanted to be, but for the first time I felt good on the bike and was having fun. I had different feelings. The shoulder is getting better for sure, but I’m trying to take it easy and not go too crazy after not having a great testing season. We still have work to do, but our speed was okay for the first session, and I’m happy about it.”

Pramac Racing Press Release

You can give your opinion on our Facebook page here
Get the latest update on our Twitter page here

read more...

Challenging Day for Pramac Racing Team

Tweet

It was a positive start for the team with Andrea immediately setting a good time to move into 5th place in the timesheets. Unfortunately, on lap 15 he was victim to an unexpected but harmless crash that forced him to interrupt the testing day.

Ben instead managed to keep a constant pace aiming to collect useful data for the Championship.

Late in the afternoon a brief rain shower came down and all the MotoGP riders came back into the pits.

Tomorrow sees the last day of testing to finalize the set-up before the season gets underway.

Andrea Iannone - Energy T.I. Pramac Racing Team

"It was a positive day despite the crash that forced me to stop. I was able to have a good feeling with the bike and get some good impressions. I'm sorry for the fall but I was trying to improve my pace and unfortunately these things can happen. I am very positive and I hope to be fast as soon as possible. "

Ben Spies - Ignite Pramac Racing Team

“We didn’t have a great day, but now we know a little more about the bike and we improved quite a bit even with my shoulder problem. I am happy because it feels better and better. We know we are a bit slower than where we wanted to be, but I had some good laps, we worked hard and we have got some changes to do tomorrow to get more confidence with the bike.”

Pramac Racing Team Press Release

You can give your opinion on our Facebook page here
Get the latest update on our Twitter page here

read more...

Wet Start for Iannone and Spies on the First Day Jerez Test

Tweet

Heavy rain ruins the first part of the day, a brief weather improvement in the early afternoon allows Andrea Iannone to complete 27 laps with a best time of 1:48.948 and 18 laps for Ben Spies recording his fastest on lap 18th.

Positive first of three-day for Andrea (Energy T.I. Pramac Racing Team) with his 4th place in the rank, and also for Ben Spies (Ignite Pramac Racing Team) who is getting acquainted with the bike after last year crash in Sepang. 

Andrea Iannone – Energy T.I. Pramac Racing Team

"I think we did a good job today, I have been able to try a little things to understand the electronics with these weather conditions, and also the differences between MotoGP and my old category. The bike and the tires have a lot of grip that I did not expect. I have a great feeling with the team and I am very happy. Today is just the first of three days and we hope in a dry track tomorrow in order to try more stuff on it."

Ben Spies – Ignite Pramac Racing Team 

“First time for me on the bike in the rain and first time in the rain since I crashed but I just want to get back into it. Today was the first of three days and we didn’t want to do anything too crazy, tomorrow more or less we will have rain again so I will have more time with these weather conditions and we do need it to get used to the bike. I stopped a little early also because the track was starting to dry and it was kind of in between rain and dry. I think we did a good job today and we will see what the weather does tomorrow.

Pramac Racing Press Release

You can give your opinion on our Facebook page here
Get the latest update on our Twitter page here

read more...