Prima giornata di libere sul circuito di Misano per il primo appuntamento con il Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini. Venerdì che il team MV Agusta Forward Racing ha dedicato alla ricerca dell’assetto migliore per affrontare, con nuove soluzioni, il weekend di fronte al proprio pubblico. Stefano Manzi, dopo aver fatto registrare il 13° tempo della mattinata, segna il suo miglior crono a 1’38.008 nelle FP2. Il pilota di casa ha dedicato il pomeriggio ad un lavoro mirato sul passo gara; domani proverà a sfruttare la FP3 per accedere direttamente alla Q2. Continua il recupero della miglior condizione per Simone Corsi, che fa registrare il 17° nelle FP1, migliorandosi ulteriormente in FP2 chiudendo a 13 millesimi dal compagno. Il team analizzerà i dati in vista delle qualifiche di domani: il programma prevede le FP3 a partire dalle 10:55, con le Q1 alle 15:10 e a seguire le Q2.

SAN MARINO GP – TEAM AT WORK ON THE PACE FOR SUNDAY

Day-1 at San Marino e Riviera di Rimini Grand Prix for the first out of two races in Misano. MV Agusta Forward Racing team spent the Friday working on the set-up, looking for new solutions, eager to do well in front of the home crowd. After hitting the 13th time this morning, Stefano Manzi set his fastest lap at 1’38.008 in FP2. The local hero delivered special attentions to the pace, working in view of Sunday’s race; tomorrow’s FP3 will be dedicated to catch the direct access to Q2. Towards the best physical shape, Simone Corsi set the 17th time in FP1, improving during FP2 and closing up just 13 thousandth of a second away from his team mate. The team will analyse the data to be ready for Saturday: FP3 starting at 10:55 AM, Q1 at 15:10 will be following by Q2 right after. 

«It was quite a positive day, regardless the position hit. With the team we came out with the decision to work especially for Sunday: we did a simulation, stressing out the tyre on a race length. I’m happy of the pace I got but we can improve a lot more, for sure. We’ll work hard tomorrow with the team to take few steps forward, hoping that in the morning we will be able to take time attacks with a set of new tyres. Let’s see if we can go directly in Q2, avoiding Q1».

«It’s been a day of high and lows. I’m satisfied with the laps with the old tyres. I’m recovering a good feeling with the bike, too. We tried to use a new set of tyres in the afternoon, but we have to improve seeking the fastest laps for the race. Now we’ll analyze all the data in order to reach Q2 tomorrow morning. It’ll be important to set a good crono and enter Top 14».

«Misano is always a special thing. As Italian team this is a very emotional race, it’s important to us doing well this weekend. Today’s results seem not so good, but our work was heavily focused on the race. We know well our room for improvement. Simone feels physically better than the Austrian races and he’s finally comfortable on the bike. On the other side of the box, Stefano worked on the race length, using always the same tyres, and he had a very competitive pace. We are confident we have the chance to bring both riders in Q2. There’s gonna be also a surprise tomorrow: we’ll have a special livery, a tribute to law enforcement for the effort during this tough and particular year».