MotoGP | GP Valencia Day 1: Takaaki Nakagami, “Difficult sessions”

MotoGP European GP Valencia LCR Honda Day 1 – Two-sided day for the LCR Honda team on the Valencia track, scene of the next MotoGP European Grand Prix.

Despite the complicated conditions present at the Ricardo Tormo, Taakaki Nakagami managed to maximize the potential of his Honda, an aspect that allowed him to end this first day in fourth position, behind the best.

A different story however for Cal Crutchlow, given that the Englishman was unable to find the right feeling with the car, a factor that forced him to end this first day of work in Valencia with the 12th time, far from the top of the standings .

Taakaki Nakagami Statements European GP Valencia MotoGP Day 1

“Today both sessions were very difficult, in FP1 it was wet and we just tried to stay on the track and get some more feedback on the bike. FP2 was in mixed conditions, some corners had a lot of wet areas and were very slippery. The performance throughout the session was quite competitive and we are going in the right direction. We hope to be able to maintain this pace tomorrow and the fundamental thing is to stay in the top 10 in FP3 and move on to Q2."

Cal Crutchlow Statements European GP Valencia MotoGP Day 1

“It was a rather strange day today. In the wet in the morning session I didn't want to take any risks and I ended up far behind but my potential in the wet is definitely better than that. If the track was still wet tomorrow I would definitely be faster. The story of the yellow flag leaves me a bit perplexed because in the position I was in on my flying lap it was impossible to see it but we respect the race direction's decision. However, this means that I will pass through to Q1 if the morning session is not dry. I could easily have been in Q2 without the problem of the yellow flag: it's a real shame!”