16/10/2023 News
The furnace after the flood
Mandalika, Indonesia, October 16th 2023 - While the Japanese Grand Prix was cut short due to rain, the Indonesian round of the MotoGP championship was able to go ahead despite extreme conditions and temperatures that put both riders and machines to the test.
MotoGP
The paradisiacal setting of the Lombok circuit did little to help the GASGAS Tech3 riders with neither of them seeing the finish of the Indonesian Grand Prix. On a track with temperatures in excess of sixty degrees, Augusto Fernandez managed to cross the finish line of Saturday's Sprint in 13th position after qualifying in 18th place. Unfortunately, the Spaniard crashed out the following day as he battled with Bastianini, Zarco and Raul Fernandez. “The weekend’s result is disappointing, but there are positive things to take away from this trip to Mandalika," commented the MotoGP rookie. “Before I crashed, I was riding at the same pace as the leading riders. We'll have to do better in Australia.” Like his team-mate, Pol Espargaro also crashed during the race, with for him, the Grand Prix coming to an end on the second lap. “I found myself in trouble right from the start of the weekend," admitted the Catalan. “I didn't have a good feeling on the bike. It was better in the warm-up and I thought I could make progress in the race. Unfortunately, my mistake prevented me from doing so.”
Moto2
The two ELF Marc VDS Racing Team riders finished the Indonesian Grand Prix in the points, but not in the positions they had hoped for. Qualifying on the fourth row of the grid, Tony Arbolino managed to climb up to sixth place despite a rear tyre that deteriorated very quickly. “I felt good on the first few laps," commented the Italian. “I tried to push really hard and attempt different things. Everything was going more or less OK until I had a problem with the rear tyre, like many other riders. I was losing grip on the entry to the corners and had to take big risks to maintain the pace.” Eighth on the grid, Sam Lowes finished tenth, his best result since the Catalunya Grand Prix at the beginning of September.
“I'm not satisfied with this result, but the conditions were difficult and I didn't have the feeling I wanted, especially in the second half of the race," explained the Brit. “I got off to a bad start because I was a bit nervous, perhaps after the last two results. And then finally I had a problem with the rear of the bike.”
Moto3
Dani Holgado was clearly unlucky at the Mandalika circuit. Qualifying in seventh position, the KTM Tech 3 rider was in third place at the end of the first lap before quickly taking control of the race and then riding with the leading group. Unfortunately, the Spaniard was twice penalised for going over track limits and the resulting two long laps ruined his race. With six seconds lost, he could only finish fourteenth. “We had a good race, I was very fast and often found myself in the lead," he said. “Unfortunately, I got two penalties. After the first one, I managed to get back into the leading group, but the second one killed us. It's hard to swallow, but rules are rules. I'm still positive because we were really strong today.” Filippo Farioli, who struggled in practice and was only 27th on the grid, had to make do with 20th place at the chequered flag.
Xavier Artigas was just ahead of the Italian. Finishing 19th, the CFMoto rider was unable to fight his way into the points. Joël Kelso also left Indonesia empty-handed. Thirteenth on the grid, the Australian crossed the finish line in 16th position.