NICE PERFORMANCE OF BLUSENS-STX RIDERS IN THEIR FIRST PRIVATE PRACTICE OF 2010 PRE SEASON
Montmeló, 19th February 2010. Circuit de Catalunya has been the stage, from last Wednesday until today (Friday), of the first private practice of the pre season. However, because of the bad climatic conditions (rain and cold) the only day that was really profitable for the teams was Thursday. Riders of the team Blusens-STX, Yonny Hernández and Mashel Al Naimi, got onto their BQR Honda-Moto2 bikes for the first time and performed nicely. Yonny fell during the first and last day due to the wet weather. Even with that he was one of the fastest and got the third best time of the official session, showing the prototype of the team from Cardedeu is very ahead in the setup work (the bikes did not have any mechanical problem). The Colombian also proved that his experience in 600cc bikes can be very useful this season in the new Moto2 class. He has been a really pleasant surprise for the team because of his constancy in the track and how fast he has adapt to the bike. His team mate, the Qatari Mashel Al Naimi has been calmed and cautious in this first contact with the BQR Honda-Moto2, in a class and championship that are totally new for him. Despite of that, he yesterday marked better times than riders who are much more experienced than him. This is also merit of the work the Catalan team has done during the whole 2009. In short, the balance of the first experience with the BQR Honda-Moto2 has been very promising.
In 125cc, Tito Rabat could not do any lap on Wednesday and neither on Friday since the cold and rain made the track too dangerous and risky to race. Tito knows perfectly his Aprilia RSA, so it was not worth it risking himself to crash in a wet track. Yesterday was the only sunny day and he could practice then, although the track was really cold. The Catalan rider spent the whole time in the top five and finally marked the fifth best time.
Raul Romero, team owner, feels hopeful and excited with the new season and the new Moto2 class, a category his team has been working on for two years, and also in the possibilities of Tito Rabat of performing great this year: “I am very satisfied with our BQR Honda-Moto2 bikes in this first contact with the riders. I think our prototype is very competitive and we have chosen two promising riders. We have been developing our project for two years, we have done a good job and I expect this to reflect in the season outcome. I am really proud of my team and the human crowd that conforms it. Regarding Tito Rabat, I think he has made the right decision to stay with the team and use the same bike with the same mechanics. This season he should make a qualitative step ahead; this is what we expect from him and I am confident he will succeed. Last but not least, I want to thank our sponsors. These are difficult times and I really appreciate their support; they make it possible for us to keep fighting for our dream.”
YONNY HERNÁNDEZ (3º, 1’49.6): “On the opening day, I fell in the first lap; there was too much water. Later, during the afternoon I took the bike again, but it was not until yesterday that we could really try it out as it should be. I had great feelings and one can tell there is a lot of work behind it, since the bike did not present any mechanical problem at all. Today the weather did not allow us to keep studying the machine, we have barely practiced and I crashed again. Despite of that, the balance is positive because the motorbike has proved to be competitive and it felt very comfortable. In my opinion, it is noteworthy that the first time I ride this prototype I am able to be one of the fastest. Moreover, I felt very good with the team, they are exceptionally professional and human at the same time.”
MASHEL AL NAIMI (13º, 1’51.2): “I am truly excited and happy about the first contact with my Moto2. I am surprised and cheery all at once because I was faster than other more experienced riders. I really liked the motorbike, although I still need to keep testing it and adapting to the 600cc machines. I have not been on a 600cc bike for five years; I am used to the 1000cc ones, so I felt a certain lack of potency. However, I just need more experience to be able of making the best out of the BQR Honda-Moto2, because the bike has a terrific potential. I am happy with the technical department too; I believe the telemetries is going to be very helpful to evolve and will let me progress in my knowledge about the motorbike and circuits.”
TITO RABAT (5º, 1’53.9): “It has been three days of practice, but we could use just one. It was rainy and cold and therefore the track was impracticable. We did not want to crash. It was about bringing back the feeling and I am glad because I did: I was fast and one of the best riders of the practice. I know the bike perfectly, because it is the one I used last year with an improved engine, and my relationship with the team is fluid and sympathetic. This is why I am very optimistic for the new season.”
