Diogo Moreira secures Q2 spot at Phillip Island
Phillip IslandMoreira continues impressive form by securing a Q2 spot at his first time riding Phillip Island on the MotoGP bike
Riding at Phillip Island for the first time on a MotoGP bike, Diogo Moreira completed a challenging but positive Friday. After a demanding morning session, the Pro Honda LCR rider managed to turn things around in the afternoon thanks to some adjustments to the bike. Moreira consistently featured inside the top ten and eventually finished ninth, securing a direct spot in Q2 for tomorrow's qualifying session. With the weather conditions still uncertain, the Brazilian is ready to keep pushing and make the most of the remaining sessions this weekend.
In the other side of the garage, Johann Zarco put together a consistent Friday on a circuit that he enjoys and where he claimed his first MotoGP victory. Despite facing some challenges, the Frenchman showed strong pace during the afternoon practice session, running among the top positions. However, Zarco narrowly missed out on a direct place in Q2 after being unable to complete a sufficiently fast lap during his final time attack. He will therefore have to go through Q1 on Saturday.
Friday in Phillip Island was a quieter than expected day for Luca Marini and the Honda HRC Castrol team as they completed just two laps. Arriving in Australia already suffering from a virus, Marini was left lacking the strength needed to wrestle his Honda RC213V around the demanding 4.45-kilometre circuit and ended his morning early.
After consultation with Dr Angel Charte and the MotoGP Medical Team, it was decided that Marini would sit out the afternoon session and have his condition reassessed on Saturday morning. An evening of rest and recovery now awaits.
I struggled this morning, but after making a few changes, things improved considerably. Tomorrow is another day, and I’m happy to have secured a place in Q2, even if we’re still a little far off. We need to keep working on the setup and make another step forward. Of course, getting into Q2 is always an advantage, but this is a tricky track, so we’ll see what we can do tomorrow.
I struggled this morning, but after making a few changes, things improved considerably. Tomorrow is another day, and I’m happy to have secured a place in Q2, even if we’re still a little far off. We need to keep working on the setup and make another step forward. Of course, getting into Q2 is always an advantage, but this is a tricky track, so we’ll see what we can do tomorrow.
In Phillip Island, we’re feeling better than we did in Mandalika. I just missed out on Q2, which is a shame because I think we could have improved a bit more. It’s always better to go straight into Q2, because in Q1 you have another chance of missing out. If the conditions are tricky tomorrow, hopefully we can take advantage of that and get a good result. I think we can do a good job, so let’s see!
In Phillip Island, we’re feeling better than we did in Mandalika. I just missed out on Q2, which is a shame because I think we could have improved a bit more. It’s always better to go straight into Q2, because in Q1 you have another chance of missing out. If the conditions are tricky tomorrow, hopefully we can take advantage of that and get a good result. I think we can do a good job, so let’s see!
I just want to say sorry to the team and the fans. When I started to travel to Australia, I was not feeling great and unfortunately my condition has not improved. Phillip Island is a really physically demanding circuit and it is the correct decision to rest today and tonight with the goal of being back on the bike on Saturday.
I just want to say sorry to the team and the fans. When I started to travel to Australia, I was not feeling great and unfortunately my condition has not improved. Phillip Island is a really physically demanding circuit and it is the correct decision to rest today and tonight with the goal of being back on the bike on Saturday.
