Hernández in Q2 contention after first day at Sepang

2016-10-28 10:40
The MotoGP riders tackled a new-look Sepang Circuit for the first time today with the track having undergone resurfacing and some changes to a number of corners, including the final one, since the last time they were here. The fastest lap time today was six tenths off the previous record here, set by Jorge Lorenzo in last year's race, with Marc Márquez (2'01.210) setting the pace this morning before missing the second session with gastroenteritis. Maverick Viñales and Scott Redding complete a virtual front row that was unchanged from the morning session with Jack Miller (2'08.872) fastest in the afternoon ahead of fellow Independent Team riders Cal Crutchlow, Héctor Barberá, Bradley Smith, Loris Baz and Scott Redding. Valentino Rossi could claim the runner-up spot in the championship this weekend and he was fifth fastest today with closest rival Jorge Lorenzo in tenth.

Pull&Bear Aspar rider Yonny Hernández made a strong start to the Malaysian Grand Prix, finishing the opening day in eighth position, just six tenths off the top thanks to his speed in the morning session. As rain hit the second free practice this afternoon Hernández adapted quickly to set the fastest time on wet tyres, giving the Colombian plenty of confidence regardless of the weather conditions during tomorrow's qualifying and Sunday's race. Eugene Laverty made a cautious start to the weekend as he built his speed around the remodelled circuit, avoiding unnecessary risks on a track that was not in the best conditions. The Irishman finished the day in eighteenth position but just a second outside the top ten.




8th Yonny Hernández 2.01.815 (23 laps): “In the first session in the dry we were very strong and I was able to set the eighth fastest time. That is very important because if it rains in the morning we will go straight into Q2. If not we will still be fighting for it. Our pace is good in the wet and in the dry. It was nice to be up there in the second session but we came in with ten minutes to go. I was fastest on wet tyres and if we had put some intermediates on we would have finished in the top three.”





18th Eugene Laverty 2.03.013 (25 laps): “The weather wasn't quite 'Phillip Island crazy' but it has been up and down today. Even this morning there were some wet parts on the track so I was being very careful. So far the new surface feels good; it is smooth and I am looking forward to getting some really dry laps tomorrow to test the potential of our package. I don't like so much the exit on the last turn, it is strange to have negative camber there, when I pick the bike up it's a strange feeling. I was changing the line more and more each lap. The most important thing is to be smooth on the exit because if you pick the bike up too quickly then it upsets the bike.”

Source: AsparTeam

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