| FTR MOTO2 PROMISE CONTINUES IN FRANCE |
| FTR MOTO was once again in contention for honours in round three of the World Moto2 Championship at Le Mans, France on Sunday as the Speed Up Team pairing of Andrea Iannone and Gabor Talmasci finished fourth and fifth respectively on their FTR M210-based machines. But cruel luck once again struck Alex Debon as he was penalised for a jump start, having qualified the Aeroport de Castello-Ajo Team machine in third place on the front row of the grid. Following his ride through penalty Debon fought back in gallant fashion but eventually finished the 26-lap race in 16th, just 3.5s away from scoring World Championship points – and only 32.2s behind winner Toni Elias. And a luckless Karel Abraham, making his FTR debut on the Cardion AB Motoracing Team machine, was struck by another rider at the very first corner of the race and forced to retire. “With 41 riders on the grid it’s always going to be an incident-packed Moto2 race,” explained FTR’s Steve Bones. “Both the Speed Up Team machines performed well, their best of the year so far and they’re typical of a lot of teams and riders in the new Moto2 class. “At the end of last year Andrea Iannone really struggled to make the transition from two-stroke to four-stroke and it’s evident that that is the same for many of the riders out there. But Speed Up have prepared the machines well and they looked very good in today’s race. “The misfortune for Alex Debon in Jerez in the last round seemed to spill over to Le Mans. After his second place in Qatar he has been very fast in both Jerez and Le Mans, in Jerez he was caught up in the mass pile-up then today he was just very unfortunate to cross the startline a fraction early. “Karel Abraham was always going to face a tough weekend with a brand new machine but he performed really well in practice and qualifying and was just in the wrong place at the wrong time in the chicane on the opening lap.” Bones concluded: “The results and potential of the FTR riders are overall really encouraging. We’ve been busy with development since the first round but we’re also thankful to be working with such a wide range of experienced technical staff and fast riders. I’d like to think it won’t be too long before we’re hitting the top step of the podium.” The fourth round is at Mugello, Italy on June 6 then it’s FTR’s home round at Silverstone on June 20. Ends. For further information regarding FTR Moto2 machinery and/or the Elf-Haslam replica Moto2 machines contact Mark Taylor; tel: +44 (0) 1280 815800; e-mail: mark@ftrmoto.com. |
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