Japan remains an unkind place for Jorge Navarro who for the second year in a row is unable to complete the Moto2 race at the Twin Ring Motegi. A mistake with two laps to go has taken away the chances of a top ten finish for the Team Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 rider.
While trying to avoid Mir at turn three, Navarro goes wide and loses the rear-end of his Kalex machine and also suffers an injury to a finger of his right hand in the process – unfortunately avoiding any ligament damage.
A pity for Navarro, who during the morning warm up was able to find a good set-up change for his Kalex, which allowed him to put together a good comeback after he went all the way down to 19thplace during the early laps of the encounter.
Navarro and the team will now focus on the next race on the calendar, which will take place at Phillip Island next Sunday. Despite not achieving the best in terms of results at the Australian venue in the past – his best result being a fourth place in 2015 in Moto3 – the track is a good one for Jorge’s riding style.
DNF JORGE NAVARRO #9
“Things improved from yesterday and during warm up we found a good set-up which gave me a good amount of confidence for the race. I struggled a bit at the beginning with the full tank, but then I found a good rhythm and I was coming up strong and closing the gap with the group fighting for sixth place. At turn three I took a slight wider line to not collide with Mir and I lost the rear-end of the bike. During the crash I suffered quite an important burn to a finger of my right hand, but fortunately there are no ligament complications. I hope I will be fully fit for Phillip Island, because it’s a fast track and I like it. It will be important to get used quickly to weather conditions.”
Source: Gresini Racing
Photo Credit: Gresini Racing