More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
COMMENTS FROM THE MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA MOTOGP RIDERS AFTER FP1 AT THE EUROPEAN GP
Valencia (Spain), 6th November 2020
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi‘s replacement rider Garrett Gerloff completed the first free practice session of the Gran Premio de Europa this morning. Due to the tricky wet track conditions at the Ricardo Tormo circuit, the pair didn‘t take too many risks but still showed solid form, securing 10th and 16th place respectively.
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi‘s replacement rider Garrett Gerloff got their first laps in around the Ricardo Tormo circuit today. Despite the wet track conditions, the riders showed their motivation, putting in a solid number of laps looking for the limit. They took 10th and 16th place respectively in the FP1 results.
Viñales likes the Valencia circuit and needed little time to re-familiarise himself with the Ricardo Tormo track in FP1. Though the quite chilly and wet conditions are different from what‘s predicted for Sunday‘s race, the local hero was keen on getting a decent amount of laps in. His best time, a 1’43.009s, set on lap 7/19, put him in 10th place, 0.946s from first.
With Valentino Rossi waiting for the second PCR test result needed for him to join the European GP, standby replacement rider Garrett Gerloff made his MotoGP debut this morning. The 25-year-old American impressed with his quick adaption to the, for him, new Valencian track, YZR-M1, and Michelin tyres. His best time was a 1’43.645s, set on lap 17/21, which earned him 16th place, 1.582s from the front.
MAVERICK VIÑALES
Position: 10th | Best lap time: 1’43.009 (+0.946s) | Laps: 19
FP1 was not bad at all. I‘m quite happy, even though the feeling is difficult because the track is very slippery. But we are understanding in which areas we need to improve. For sure the bike is working well as we have good lap times, and especially at the end when everyone‘s times were dropping we were good. We need to improve a few things, but I‘m quite happy.
GARRETT GERLOFF
STANDBY REPLACEMENT RIDER
Position: 16th | Best lap time: 1’43.645 (+1.582s) | Laps: 21
Man, what an experience! That was amazing, to ride the YZR-M1. There are so many things that are amazing about the bike. They are reminding me of the R1, but at the same time they are different – it‘s just another level of motorcycle. It was super cool! ’Thank you‘ to Yamaha for giving me the opportunity, and we‘ll see what happens in the second session. I‘m just really happy to be here.
