FIM Moto2 World Superbike Mugello, Italy May 31, 2013 Free Practice Two Results (all using Honda engines and Dunlop tires): 1. Esteve RABAT, Spain (KALEX), 1:53.583 2. Simone CORSI, Italy (SPEED UP), 1:53.780 3. Takaaki NAKAGAMI, Japan (KALEX), 1:53.826 4. Johann ZARCO, France (SUTER), 1:53.938 5. Xavier SIMEON, Belgium (KALEX), 1:53.951 6. Alex DE ANGELIS, San Marino (SPEED UP), 1:53.974 7. Scott REDDING, UK (KALEX), 1:54.077 8. Nicolas TEROL, Spain (SUTER), 1:54.239 9. Pol ESPARGARO, Spain (KALEX), 1:54.241 10. Thomas LUTHI, Switzerland (SUTER), 1:54.289 11. Julian SIMON, Spain (KALEX), 1:54.434 12. Mattia PASINI, Italy (SPEED UP), 1:54.457 13. Dominique AEGERTER, Switzerland (SUTER), 1:54.509 14. Sandro CORTESE, Germany (KALEX), 1:54.520 15. Ratthapark WILAIROT, Thailand (SUTER), 1:54.547 16. Marcel SCHROTTER, Germany (KALEX), 1:54.585 17. Axel PONS, Spain (KALEX), 1:54.660 18. Toni ELIAS, Spain (KALEX), 1:54.664 19. Mika KALLIO, Finland (KALEX), 1:54.900 20. Jordi TORRES, Spain (SUTER), 1:55.035 21. Randy KRUMMENACHER, Switzerland (SUTER), 1:55.078 22. Yuki TAKAHASHI, Japan (MORIWAKI), 1:55.315 23. Mike DI MEGLIO, France (MOTOBI), 1:55.522 24. Danny KENT, UK (TECH 3), 1:55.698 25. Anthony WEST, Australia (SPEED UP), 1:55.706 26. Ricard CARDUS, Spain (SPEED UP), 1:55.946 27. Louis ROSSI, France (TECH 3), 1:56.078 28. Steven ODENDAAL, South Africa (SPEED UP), 1:56.588 29. Alberto MONCAYO, Spain (SPEED UP), 1:56.764 30. Kyle SMITH, UK (KALEX), 1:57.013 31. Doni Tata PRADITA, Indonesia (SUTER), 1:58.246 32. Rafid Topan SUCIPTO, Indonesia (SPEED UP), 1:59.408 More, from a press release issued by Marc VDS Racing: Mugello, Italy – 31st May 2013: Scott Redding and Mika Kallio made a steady start on the opening day at Mugello, as unseasonable weather at the Italian circuit made for tricky conditions in both free practice sessions. Overnight rain meant that the opening practice session was held in less than ideal conditions, with damp patches and a low track temperature dictating a cautious approach on slick tyres. Despite sometimes unpredictable grip levels, Redding ended the session fourth fastest and Kallio finished 12th. Conditions were much improved for this afternoon’s second free practice, despite the black clouds surrounding the Mugello circuit. Redding built his pace throughout the 45-minute session, as he worked to improve front-end feel on the bike, eventually finishing seventh fastest on combined times. For Kallio the improvement in conditions didn’t bring the expected improvement in lap times, as the increase in grip levels led to instability when trail braking into the corners. The 30-year-old Finn eventually finished in 19th, a position he is determined to improve upon in tomorrow’s final free practice session. With the Moto3 class first out for free practice this morning Livio Loi had to contend with a damp track after overnight rain at Mugello. The 16-year-old Belgian used the 45-minute session to familiarise himself with the Mugello track, eventually finishing 14th. Conditions improved significantly for the second free practice session, with the Moto3 riders able to run slicks for the first time. Loi was disappointed to end the session only 24th on the timesheet, after struggling with the bike on both corner entry and exit. Scott Redding #45: 7th – 1’54.077 “This morning was a bit sketchy; there were damp patches on the track that were difficult to see, but as long as you stuck to the completely dry line it was okay. This afternoon conditions were better, with more grip available, but that caused us some problems with the front. This track is different compared to the others we’ve raced at so far this season, so we knew we’d have some work to do to rediscover the same feeling with the bike. We lost time because of the weather this morning, but we made some improvements this afternoon and I’m sure there is more to come tomorrow.” Mika Kallio #36: 19th – 1’54.900 “To be honest, I’m not quite sure what happened with the bike this afternoon. From the first lap I had problems with the front on corner entry, with the bike sitting up as soon as I turned in. I have never felt anything like it before and it was impossible to control the bike while trail braking into the turn. We made some changes to reduce the amount of grip at the rear, which improved things a little, but we need to find a lot more. Tonight we need to sit down and come up with a set-up to improve the bike on corner entry, without losing too much of the rear grip that’s giving me good drive out of the turns, especially up through Arrabbiata one and two.” Livio Loi #11: 24th – 2’02.088 “The bike was fine in the mixed conditions we had for this morning’s free practice session, but then we hit problems in the dry conditions this afternoon. The bike didn’t want to turn in at all, with the front threatening to close on me when I tried to force the bike into the corner. The corner exit was little better, with the bike picking up and running wide as soon as I got on the gas. It was a similar problem to that which we had in Le Mans, but much worse and I had to fight the bike everywhere. We have looked at the data already and it is clear what we need to do to significantly improve the bike, so we’ve already put today behind us and now we’re focussed on tomorrow’s practice and qualifying sessions.” More, from a press release issued by QMMF Racing Team: West makes progress with new chassis. Sucipto learns and likes magnificent Mugello QMMF Racing Team rider Anthony West tried a new chassis on his Speed Up prototype this afternoon. Designed to fix some issues with front end feel and tyre grip on his bike, the frame felt like a change for the better to the 31-year-old Australian. However, after making some initial set-up adjustments in the first part of the session, West lost valuable track time towards the end when his bike wouldn’t start due to a small broken part that blocked the clutch. Optimistic despite his 25th position after the first day of the Italian Grand Prix, West aims now to fine-tune his new package in the third free practice session tomorrow morning and then to fight for a strong grid position in qualifying on Saturday afternoon. Young team-mate Rafid Topan Sucipto struggled with the fast and difficult 5.2 kilometre circuit of Mugello in the beginning, but as the teenager from Jakarta started to find the right lines through the sweeping corners of the Tuscan track, he also started to share the opinion of the overwhelming majority of riders that see Mugello as one of the most beautiful circuits in the Grand Prix calendar. Anthony West – 25th in 1.55,706 “We changed from the older to the new chassis between sessions and the idea was to get as many laps in the afternoon as we possibly could. When I came in for the first time to make a small change, the bike felt quite different immediately and we seemed to be going the right direction, even though it’s hard to tell after just a few laps. I did one flying lap, went faster and thought it was a good idea to come in for a second pit stop to make another change, because things were starting to go the right way. But then, the bike didn’t want to start. It turned out that some little broken piece blocked the clutch. By the time my guys had taken this part out and put everything back together, the chequered flag came out. It was disappointing because we needed as much track time with the new bike as possible. I hope that we will continue to go the right direction with the set-up and that we won’t have too many problems tomorrow!” Rafid Topan Sucipto – 32nd in 1.59,408 “It wasn’t easy in the beginning. Mugello is a long circuit and it’s a challenge to find the right lines through all the fast corners. It’s also physically demanding with all the fast direction changes, you use your muscles quite a bit to force the bike onto the line you want. I feel as if I had a good work-out today! At the same time, as I’m getting faster step by step, I’m really starting to like this track. I hope I can improve further tomorrow and get a good grid position!” More, from a press release issued by MAPFRE Aspar Team: MAPFRE ASPAR BEGIN HARD WORK AT MUGELLO Nico Terol and Jordi Torres place eighth and twentieth, respectively, on day one of Italian Grand Prix. Both work on combatting front end grip issues The Moto2 class was the most fortunate of the three World Championship categories on Friday in Italy, as it was able to complete both of its practice sessions on a dry track. Some damp patches made the riders take a cautious approach in the morning, but in the afternoon it was a fully dry session for the intermediate class. Takaaki Nakagami and Esteve Rabat were the leaders in the two Friday sessions, with some of the Italian riders also going strong at their home round. With times tight and the weather unpredictable, an entertaining weekend is in store for the category. Even though the asphalt was largely dry for the opening session at Mugello, damp patches meant that prudence was the order of the day. The MAPFRE Aspar riders used the run to reacquaint themselves with Mugello, before getting the real work underway in the afternoon. Nico Terol and Jordi Torres both suffered with a lack of front end grip in the dry afternoon run, but despite this Terol was still able to stick with the frontrunners for pace. He placed eighth on the timesheet and was some six-tenths off the best time of the day. Torres was twentieth, 1.4 off the top spot. Both are now sure of what to address on Saturday’s second day of practice. 8th Nico Terol 1’54.239 (40 laps): “This morning I didn’t feel comfortable with the track full of damp patches. But it was good for me to ride with the asphalt like this, in order to find a new feeling and learn to ride in a difficult situation. This afternoon I felt much more comfortable, we worked to offset a few difficulties. We had some chattering when changing direction and also lacked a little grip when we were at full lean. The good thing is that we know what to try in order to find an improvement tomorrow, so we will get on that at the start of the day. I am happy with how today went, but we still have to work hard to solve some problems. I also have to get up to full speed, as I rode fast here last year and have some good memories of the track. We still have time on our side, so I am calm. We placed eighth today, with a good pace, so we have to be happy.” 20th Jordi Torres 1’55.035 (35 laps): “This morning the track was very difficult to ride on, because of the damp patches, but despite this I was able to refresh my memory from when I last rode here two years ago. In the afternoon the track conditions improved a lot and I tried to push a bit more. When looking for the limit I found that there is something about the front end that is not allowing me to ride with finesse. I am unable to lean in as much as I want and that proves costly on cornering. We have to work so that the bike is more stable and that we can be steadier when cornering. After today’s work we have thought up a few changes to make tomorrow. Basically, we feel that we need to load more weight onto the front end in order to make the bike turn better and faster.”