Marc VDS Racing Team riders, Scott and team mate Hector Faubel, will start tomorrow's 23-lap Moto2 race at Catalunya alongside each other on the grid, after qualifying 14th and 15th respectively during this afternoon's 45-minute timed session.
In sweltering conditions, with the highest track temperature seen so far this season, Scott struggled to find traction throughout qualifying and had some close calls as he lost the front in the fast right-handers that are key to a quick lap time at the Circuit de Catalunya. Rear traction was also an issue because of the incredibly hot conditions, with the rear tyre spinning up and then gripping without warning, almost flicking him over the highside on more than one occasion.
Despite the near crashes, Scott persevered and continued to push hard aboard his Suter MMX machine right to the end of the session, eventually securing 14th place on the fourth row of the grid for tomorrow's Moto2 race.
Scott: 14th – 1'48.480
"That was a tough session. The bike just didn't feel right and I came close to crashing more than once on the fast right-handers when the front tried to close on me. It let go in a big way at turn 11, but I managed to hold it up on my elbow and then pick it back up on the gas; it was a close run thing and it's left a big dent in the titanium elbow protector on my Furygan leathers. Not good. Neither was nearly going over the highside a few times, as the rear let go and the gripped without warning. Like I said, a tough session all-round, but then I guess it was the same for everyone in these conditions. We will make some changes overnight to try and improve rear traction, but tomorrow will just be a case of trying to get a good start and then going as hard as I can for all 23 laps."
Michael Bartholemy: Team Manager
"I'm fairly happy with how things have gone today. We made improvements during free practice this morning and we were aiming for top twelve in qualifying for both riders. Okay, so we didn't quite achieve this, but I can live with that. Both riders did a good job this afternoon and it was good to see Hector making such a big step in qualifying. The fingers are definitely crossed, but I think having both riders finish in the points tomorrow is a realistic goal.
This entry was posted on 03 July 2010 at 20:45 and is filed under Moto2. You can leave a response here.
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