JEREZ, Spain: Despite ongoing issues with tyre grip, a problem that haunted many Moto2 riders throughout the weekend in Jerez, QMMF Racing Team rider Anthony West finished the Spanish Grand Prix on a high note.
The 32-year-old Australian started to slide a lot after only five laps, but stayed ahead of a big pack of other riders, using all his skills and racing experience to fend off all attacks.
West eventually crossed the line in 11th position, celebrating the best possible result under the circumstances. Team-mate Román Ramos started from 33rd place on the grid and also made the best out of a difficult weekend, battling his way to 23rd place within a hard-charging group of six riders.
The 23-year-old had hoped to be able to fight for his first world championship points at his home Grand Prix, but shared the set-up problems of many other riders in Southern Spain’s summer heat.
West said it was a tough weekend in Spain.
“The race was hard work, harder than any of the other races this year so far, because I was fighting so much with the bike,” West said.
“The first five laps I felt quite strong, I passed many of people and I had a nice battle with Nakagami.
“I passed him twice and I felt stronger than him. But after about five laps, the bike completely changed.
“Once we lose just a little bit of grip, the bike turns into something else. I almost crashed trying to stay with Nakagami, but one lap later it was he who went down, I think because of the same problem with tyre grip.
“He crashed, whereas I just tried to be as smooth as possible and to keep the bike in line. I had a big group behind me and I had to use old school tactics and hold them up in the corners, staying wide, brake late and block the line, so they couldn’t run their corner speed,” West explained.
“My tactics worked and I was able to hold them off for all the race. They had a few goes at passing me, but I finished ahead of them, which felt good. We really need to fix the bike though, because if we fix this issue, I am sure we can be up in the front,” the Australian said.
Ramos endorsed West’s sentiment.
“It was a tough weekend. Throughout all the practice sessions, we really struggled to find a good set-up and since we didn’t find a solution, we were suffering again in the race,” Ramos said.
“I want to thank my team because they worked very hard and tried everything in their power to help me.
“No we go to Le Mans determined to improve and to get the motorcycle to work well so we can battle for better results. I am confident for the races to come,” he added. THE PENINSULA
