Aegerter just misses out on a podium, Mulhauser taken down by a rival
Finishing the Grand Prix of the Americas, on the spectacular circuit of Austin, in seventh position, Thomas Lüthi (Garage Plus Interwetten) had to pass his Moto2 world championship lead on to a British colleague Sam Lowes. Fighting for the podium for a great part of the race, the Swiss rider lost his chance during the last two laps. The achievement of the day for the Swiss goes to Dominique Aegerter (carXpert Interwetten), who finished fourth and who consolidated his provisional fifth position in the championship classification. Heading into the race as a leader in the first corner, "Domi" had to fight hard with a group, nothing was handed over to him for free. The third rider of the Swiss "dream team", Robin Mulhauser (carXpert Interwetten), was less successful. He had a good start and was in 18th position when he was hit by Luca Marini, Valentino Rossi's step brother. After a visit to the mobile clinic, the doctors did not find any fractures apart from three stitches to his left hand. A sum up of this eventful day with the boss, Frédéric Corminboeuf: "For once I will start with Robin, who was disappointing during the first two days but who made me happy at the beginning of the race - he was fighting and overtaking his adversaries, signing his personal best lap time of this circuit. He could not do anything about this crash, it is a pity, he deserved better. Dominique did not disappoint, he was fighting. He was in a group in the front from the beginning until the end, although unfortunately he lost contact with Zarco in the wrong moment, after an aggressive attack of one of his adversaries. He has speed, a good pace too, a podium is coming soon. As for Tom, I would say it was a missed opportunity: he had the potential to defend his championship lead today, to finish third and on the podium, but then he started making some small mistakes on the brakes at the end of the race. He was not far at all, however. We confirmed that our two riders are capable of fighting in the front in this championship, where the level is higher than ever before. We have had and we will have a great season."
They said...
Dominique Aegerter (carXpert Interwetten, 4th) "A podium was possible today. My start was really good. Unfortunately - and this is what happens to those who arrive to the top of this impressive first uphill in the lead - I had no reference for braking and I was a bit too far. The first two - Rins and Lowes - did not wait for us and I stayed with Zarco. I was a bit faster than him but he was very difficult to overtake. Later on, there was a group with some experienced and very, very aggressive riders. It was a real war with some of them. I lost concentration for a moment because I really wanted to study the strong and weaker points of my rivals. When I calmed down again, Zarco was gone. It is a pity because I really wanted to give this podium to Diego, the mechanic who looks after my tyres, who lost his father last night and who left the paddock this morning to go back to Italy. The duel with Corsi? With him it was past the limit: he believes that we can continuously bump into people and they will leave us; if I did not open the door for him at least three times, I would have ended like Nakagami, who crashed. Top-5 in three races in a row, our objective is clear, we are in the front and I have to say a big thanks to my team, they do an incredible job."
Robin Mulhauser (carXpert Interwetten, DNF, crash) "Three stitches on the top of my left hand, but the American doctors say there is no fracture at least. What should I say? I had a really good start and solid first laps before Luca Marini attacked me and literally "cut me in half". It is a pity because I finally found a good feeling."
