SOLID MotoGP SATURDAY AS MIR AND RINS GO THIRD ROW

MGP-19-Joan Mir-23

Team Suzuki Press Office – November 16.

Joan Mir: 7th – 1:30.573
Alex Rins: 8th – 1:30.595

• Alex Rins comes through Q1 for third row start.
• Joan Mir showing consistent form with 7th.
• Team prepare for final race of the 2019 season.

Another chilly started greeted the riders for day 2 of the Valencian GP. With track temperatures varying from 8-11ºc, it looked unlikely that anyone would improve in FP3, but lap times began to drop towards the end of the session, meaning Alex Rins and Joan Mir had to push in order to reach Q2. Both were knocked -out of the Top 10, but Mir managed to hold onto 9th, while Rins dropped to 12th.

FP4 was an important session for getting a feel for tomorrow’s race, with much warmer temperatures allowing for the riders to try out tyre options and put in longer runs. Rins and Mir finished this session in 5th and 6th respectively.

Rins entered Q1 in determined mood, heading straight to the top of the timesheets in the 15-minute session. He held this position until there were only 4 minutes left in Q1, when he was bumped to 3rd. However, he fought back, topping the session again on his penultimate flying lap and progressing to Q2.

Keen to get strong grid positions, the SUZUKI ECSTAR pair aimed high in the pacy Q2 session, and as the final qualifying of the season drew to a close it was Mir in 7th, and Rins in 8th. These third row starts could stand them in good stead as they have both shown consistent race pace.

Davide Brivio – Team Manager:

“In the end we managed to end qualifying in a good way with 7th and 8th places – which aren’t bad starting positions. The main thing is that both Joan and Alex are in good shape and have good pace. So we hope that we can start well and get in with the top group from the start. We’ll continue to work in order to fine tune for tomorrow.”

Joan Mir:

“I’m really happy about the weekend so far, and my feeling is good. This is a track where I have more experience, and I notice the difference. The bike feels great and I’m able to ride how I want to. I think tomorrow I can be in the mix and fighting in the Top 5.”

Alex Rins:

“I set a good lap time in Q1, and then replicated it in Q2, and I think starting 8th is OK. For sure, a bit higher could be better, but I feel quite confident. We’ll see tomorrow what the first laps are like and how the race will turn out. Tyre choice will be quite important. In the past here it’s been difficult for riders to open a gap, so it could be a close race. I’m riding smoothly and improving session by session. Ready for the last race!”

GP of Valencia – Qualifying Classification:

1. Fabio QUARTARARO Petronas Yamaha SRT 1’29.978
2. Marc MARQUEZ Repsol Honda Team 1’30.010 0.032 / 0.032
3. Jack MILLER Pramac Racing 1’30.086 0.108 / 0.076
4. Maverick VIÑALES Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP 1’30.178 0.200 / 0.092
5. Franco MORBIDELLI Petronas Yamaha SRT 1’30.449 0.471 / 0.271
6. Andrea DOVIZIOSO Ducati Team 1’30.511 0.533 / 0.062
7. Joan MIR Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 1’30.573 0.595 / 0.062
8. Alex RINS Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 1’30.595 0.617 / 0.022

9. Cal CRUTCHLOW LCR Honda CASTROL 1’30.726 0.748 / 0.131
10. Danilo PETRUCCI Ducati Team 1’30.771 0.793 / 0.045
11. Pol ESPARGARO Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1’30.908 0.930 / 0.137
12. Valentino ROSSI Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP 1’30.954 0.976 / 0.046
13. Johann ZARCO LCR Honda IDEMITSU 1’30.826 Q1
14. Michele PIRRO Ducati Team 1’30.949 Q1
15. Aleix ESPARGARO Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 1’30.972 Q1
16. Jorge LORENZO Repsol Honda Team 1’31.295 Q1
17. Mika KALLIO Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1’31.383 Q1
18. Tito RABAT Reale Avintia Racing 1’31.507 Q1
19. Iker LECUONA Red Bull KTM Tech 3 1’31.658 Q1
20. Andrea IANNONE Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 1’31.714 Q1
21. Karel ABRAHAM Reale Avintia Racing 1’31.815 Q1
22. Hafizh SYAHRIN Red Bull KTM Tech 3 1’31.839 Q1

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