Aegerter: an achievement and a new contract, Mulhauser struggles in Misano
The first day of practice for the Grand Prix of San Marino & la Riviera di Rimini on the rebuilt circuit of Misano was full of lessons for the Swiss Moto2 delegation. The most successful today was Dominique Aegerter (Technomag Racing Interwetten), who was the second quickest, having signed an extension of his collaboration with the Swiss team on Friday evening. He did an impressive number of consistent laps ahead of the race on Sunday. Thomas Lüthi (Derendinger Racing Interwetten) was smiling less than his teammate: he is still looking for better technical solutions working hard with his team on a complete modification of the balance of his bike. Finally, the day was again difficult for the third rider of the team, Robin Mulhauser (Technomag Racing Interwetten), who finished 31st overall although his ideal lap time would have placed him in 25th position. Fred Corminboeuf, the boss of the two teams, summarised the day: “Dominique had a really good day; he is relaxed and relieved having now answered the questions about his future and when he can relax on the bike, we know what he is capable of. I really hope that the much-awaited moment when everything clicks together has finally arrived. Tom and his technical team made many modifications to his bike trying to resolve the problems with tires he has been experiencing in the past weeks; Lüthi needs to adapt to this new situation, he worked in different directions today and I am sure that we are close to finding a solution. As for Robin, he needs to find good feelings again; he works really hard but unfortunately his work does not bear its fruit on the track.”
They said…
Dominique Aegerter ((Technomag Racing Interwetten, 2nd): “I prepared myself really well for this weekend and since yesterday I have felt really well. After the two-day test with a Suter prototype (in Aragon last week), which was difficult, I was happy to be back on my Kalex and after all it worked out well. If we start a weekend off like this, it is always rewarding; this afternoon we were able to improve a few things and with the hard tires I was as fast as this morning, covering a full race distance at this pace. Then with a softer tire I was even half a second quicker. I am confident although I know that on Saturday I will have to be a lot faster to start from the front row.”
Robin Mulhauser (Technomag Racing Interwetten, 31st): "This is not an easy track but I am also not where I want to be. If I add my ideal times together (personal best sector times), I am only 1,9 seconds off the pole, 1 second behind Lüthi, which is not so bad. But that is the theory: In qualifying I will have to push really hard and ideally get a nice tow. Today’s result is not good but I know that I have what it takes to do a lot better.”
