MotoGP Test Valencia – Ricardo Tormo
The 2019 season started for Reale Avintia Racing riders Tito Rabat and Karel Abraham today at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Spain.
It was a very special day of testing for Rabat this as he made his comeback on a MotoGP bike almost three months later his leg injury at Silverstone. The Spanish rider went step by step and his feelings with his Ducati GP18 were very positive. Rabat completed 36 laps and finished just 1.4s behind the fastest rider. He will be back on track tomorrow to continue working and adapting to his new bike.
Karel Abraham’s debut with Reale Avintia Racing was also positive and his feelings with his Ducati GP18 were great. The Czech rider is convinced of this bike’s big potential and he was full of praise for the work of the team. The first day was just a shakedown to get to know his technical crew and the first contact was encouraging. Abraham finished 20th and just 1.8s behind the fastest lap time of the day.
“Today was a good first contact with my bike and the team after too much time at home. We did a good job and the only negative point was that it started to rain in the afternoon. But I’m happy, we finished the first day 1.4s from the top, which is much more than I had expected. I can see that the bike has huge potential, which makes me very optimistic for the upcoming season. The plan tomorrow is to continue working to improve and get closer. I still miss strength in my right leg, but I knew that before I came here. Even though riding is painful sometimes, we need these two tests here in Valencia and then in Jerez to get the leg stronger and get some rhythm. This morning before the start I was afraid how it would all go, but then the day was good and I’m looking forward to ride again tomorrow”.
“The first day couldn’t have been better! The bike is really good and very different from the one I’ve been riding before. We have many things to set and change to adapt the bike to my demands, but unfortunately it started to rain when I was on my fastest lap. The most important thing is that I’ve improved at every exit and the goal tomorrow is to continue this way. I’m excited about the team and the bike and I’m very optimistic. The team is new for me, we still have to make some adjustments, but overall the first day has been good in all aspects”.
