30/01/18 Sepang MotoGP Test – Sepang International Circuit
The Reale Avintia Racing Team leaves Malaysia with good feelings after three days of testing at the Sepang International Circuit, with Tito Rabat and Xavi Simeon constantly progressing.
The Spanish rider completed several laps under two minutes and was inside the ‘top 6’ for a while to remain in ninth place with two hours to go. On the last afternoon, the plan was to complete a full race simulation, but his run was interrupted when he crashed on the ninth of 20 laps. Despite his incident, Rabat left the circuit very satisfied after finishing the test with the twelfth fastest lap, only 0.717s behind Jorge Lorenzo, who was flying aboard his factory Ducati in Sepang today. Rabat is now looking forward to getting back on his bike in two weeks in Thailand, where the second official three-day test of the MotoGP caregory will be held at the new Buriram International Circuit.
Rabat’s teammate in Reale Avintia Racing, Xavier Simeon, continued with his work plan, which once again was focused on progressing on the bike and adapting his riding style to the demands of the MotoGP class. The Belgian did 30 laps today and lapped in 2’00, which was one of the goals that the team had set before arriving in Malaysia. In addition, his times were similar to the other riders who moved up from Moto2, including the current champion and runner-up. Therefore also for Simeon the Sepang test has been very positive.
“It has been a very positive test because I’ve managed to go fast with a very good pace while riding alone. Every time I’m more comfortable with the bike and the team has been doing a great job during the three days. In the afternoon we did a race simulation, but I crashed and so we couldn’t finish it. The positive thing is that we know why it happened, it was the same as the first day and in the same turn, running the medium front tyre. This tyre does not warn you before the limit as we already know, but now we have things clear for the next test. I’m very happy with the result of these tests, with the team, with the bike and with my physical condition. Now it’s time to train hard at home to get ready for Thailand”.
“To be honest I’m very happy because we’ve been working step by step and every day I’ve improved the lap times and, what is more important, I’ve improved my feeling with the bike. For the first time I was able to make changes on the set-up, understand the bike better and how it needs to be ridden. That also allowed me to concentrate on my riding and on such a difficult track like this, we managed to lap in 2’00 which is not bad for my first time at Sepang with a MotoGP bike. I am working very well with the team and they have given me very good indications. Also Rubén (Xaus) has helped me a lot and with his experience I have been able to advance faster and in the end we were with the other ‘rookies’. Now we need to continue working at home to start over in Thailand form where we have left off here”.
