04.03.2019
The last day of the test and the last day of the pre-season has seen the circuit’s fastest lap record lowered for the second day in a row, with Sam Lowes setting it at 1:58.439. The general objective of the riders and teams has been to squeeze the maximum out of the time on track and polish all the final details, and Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS was no exception. The Spanish-Belgian structure is prepared to face the year confident of success, with good results, good mood and good teamwork during testing meaning it has been a very fruitful pre-season.
“It’s the most important day”. That’s how Alex Márquez defined today and after doing some final chassis and suspension tests to improve his feeling with the rear of the bike, he carried out a race simulation. Looking for consistency and to fully understand the behaviour of the tyres over a race distance, the number 73 lapped in podium rhythm and could keep in the low 1’59” bracket. In the last session of the day a second simulation was made, but in this case, opening the throttle to the maximum and simulating the strategy of fighting for Pole Position was the focus. The qualifying simulation led Márquez to sign off with his best time of the test and he stopped the clock at 1:58.948. It was the eighth best time of the day and on the combined standings.
Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS closes the pre-season with the best sensations to face the start of the competition with enthusiasm and high expectations. There is only one week to go before the starting lights on the Losail International Circuit are switched off and the 2019 World Championship finally begins.
Alex Márquez, 8th, 1:58.948, 52 laps, 280 km: “I’m very happy with my race pace because the simulation has gone very well. We can still improve a bit and we’re not there to win yet. There are a couple of opponents who have a better race pace but I’m happy because I was very constant and I kept the pace until the end, setting the fastest lap in the penultimate lap. We only need one tenth per lap to win the race. The qualifying simulation didn’t go so well but I’m not too worried because with Saturday’s adrenaline it can be improved. I’m happy and ready. The team has done a great job.”
