MotoGP: Sepang Test Day 1, Aleix Espargarò “The bike has great potential”

Excellent news for Team Forward and Aleix Espargarò. The new Yamaha FTR Open is in fact competitive and allowed the Spanish rider to place in seventh position on the first day of testing in Sepang. A little further back was his teammate Colin Edwards, who finished in eleventh position but ahead of four Ducatis (those of Andrea Dovizioso, Michele Pirro, Cal Crutchlow and Yonny Hernandez).

“I am very motivated for this new challenge with a new team and a new bike. We start from a very valid base and aim to achieve good results – said Aleix Espargarò – I won't deny that my goal is to fight with the official riders. I'm satisfied with this first day of testing, we worked on the electronics and engine controls. We didn't do many laps, but we gathered important information. The bike has great potential and I am very confident.”

The American Colin Edwards then took the floor

“I am happy to be part of this new project with Forward, Yamaha and FTR. It's nice to be back with Yamaha as I have a long history with them, so much so that my first contract with Yamaha USA dates back to 1986 in cross. In these few years the NGM Mobile Forward Racing Team has grown a lot and this new season represents an excellent opportunity. We can count on a competitive package and having Aleix in the garage represents extra motivation for me. As for today, I can say I'm happy, considering that I only shot for a few hours due to some technical problems. We focused on the chassis to improve the feeling with the front and tomorrow we will continue to work in this direction."