Rookie Taiyo Furusato Continues Progression Ahead of Sunday Race in Catalunya
Circuit de Barcelona-CatalunyaThe qualifying day at the Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalunya brought another valuable learning day for Idemitsu Honda Team Asia and Taiyo Furusato at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Saturday morning started in difficult way as Furusato suffered a crash during his final time attack lap in the last Free Practice 2 session. Fortunately, the Japanese rider was not injured and completed the session in 26th position while continuing to work on improving the overall feeling with the bike and adapting to the demanding conditions of the Catalan circuit.
In the afternoon qualifying session, Furusato showed encouraging progression during Q1. The Japanese rookie delivered a more competitive performance and finished ninth in the session, reducing the gap to the front and showing a positive step forward in confidence and pace. With this result, Furusato will start Sunday’s Moto2 race from 23rd position on the grid as both rider and team continue working to make another step ahead.
The second day in Moto2 has been completed and conditions were even colder in the morning, but Taiyo continued working hard throughout the sessions. During the long run this morning he started to gain a better feeling with the bike and I think we also improved the setup slightly compared to yesterday.
In the afternoon qualifying session he made another clear improvement and reduced the gap to the fastest riders to around six tenths, which is a positive step from his side. He is understanding more about how to manage the bike and how to approach the laps in Moto2. His feedback after qualifying was also positive, so now we are looking forward to seeing how he can perform during tomorrow’s race.
The second day in Moto2 has been completed and conditions were even colder in the morning, but Taiyo continued working hard throughout the sessions. During the long run this morning he started to gain a better feeling with the bike and I think we also improved the setup slightly compared to yesterday.
In the afternoon qualifying session he made another clear improvement and reduced the gap to the fastest riders to around six tenths, which is a positive step from his side. He is understanding more about how to manage the bike and how to approach the laps in Moto2. His feedback after qualifying was also positive, so now we are looking forward to seeing how he can perform during tomorrow’s race.
Today the feeling was definitely better compared to yesterday, especially during qualifying. Step by step we are understanding more things about the bike and also how I need to ride in these conditions. The position is still not where we want to be, but I think we made a positive improvement during the day.
Of course there is still work to do because the gaps are very close in Moto2 and every small detail is important. Tomorrow the target is to make a good start, stay consistent during the race and continue learning lap by lap. I will give my maximum together with the team and try to make another step forward in the race.
Today the feeling was definitely better compared to yesterday, especially during qualifying. Step by step we are understanding more things about the bike and also how I need to ride in these conditions. The position is still not where we want to be, but I think we made a positive improvement during the day.
Of course there is still work to do because the gaps are very close in Moto2 and every small detail is important. Tomorrow the target is to make a good start, stay consistent during the race and continue learning lap by lap. I will give my maximum together with the team and try to make another step forward in the race.
