MotoGP GP of Thailand – Chang International Circuit
Reale Avintia Racing rider Tito Raba was released from the Dexeus University Hospital in Barcelona last week and will continue his rehabilitation program at home in Valencia. Rabat, who fractured his femur, tibia and fibula a month ago at the Silverstone circuit, will not travel to Thailand and instead needs a few more weeks of patience before getting back on his Ducati GP17.
His team-mate Xavier Simeon is going to ride Rabat’s bike once again and is determined to make another step at the first ever MotoGP race in Thailand. The Belgian rider arrives at the Chang International Circuit highly motivated, as he knows the track from the winter test and as he has the experience of two races with the GP17 under his belt. He hopes to be able to fight for points this weekend.
Following his promising debut in the premier class at the last race at MotorLand Aragón, Jordi Torres flies to Thailand with confidence. Torres knows the bike, the tyres, the equipment and he also knows the circuit very well, from the races in the World Superbike championship in the last four season. Even though the Ducati Superbike is radically different from the Desmosedici GP16 of Reale Avintia Racing, the experience on this track will certainly help to master the challenges of next weekend.
The weather forecast is good, with sun and high temperatures throughout the weekend. The MotoGP action will start on Friday at 9:55 local time (4:45 Spanish time).
“I am going to Thailand with a lot of confidence, because we tested there in the pre-season and this means that we will start the weekend with some experience. The lack of track experience was the cause of most of our problems this year, because it stopped us from getting on the pace quickly and getting the references with the MotoGP machine. I will ride Tito’s bike again and therefore, I have very high expectations. I hope to score points for the first time this season.”
“After the great experience of Aragon, where I had to absorb a lot of information over the weekend to adapt to my riding style to the MotoGP category, it s fantastic to have another chance and to get back on the bike in Thailand. I know the circuit very well, because we have been racing there in the last four years of the World Superbike championship. It’s a track that I like and I where I had good races. We will have to make the best of FP1 on Friday to catch up with the others and to keep improving. I must get down to the maximum lean angle and learn how to pick up the bike on the corners exits as quickly as possible. There are many things that I figured out in my head and now it’s time to apply this knowledge to the bike. Let’s see if I can ride more smoothly and if I can score a decent result on Sunday”.
