Team Suzuki Press Office – June 16.
Alex Rins: 4th (+ 6.602)
Joan Mir: 6th (+ 7.040)
Sylvain Guintoli: 13th (+ 51.363)
• Alex Rins in podium contention before making amazing save.
• Joan Mir scores his best ever MotoGP finish.
• Team SUZUKI ECSTAR satisfied and ready for tomorrow’s test.
The classic Catalan circuit of Montmelò was packed full of enthusiastic fans for the seventh round of the 2019 MotoGP World Championship, on the 70th Anniversary weekend of the series. There was an incredibly high attrition rate during the race, with 11 riders failing to finish.
Team SUZUKI ECSTAR’s three riders felt confident heading into the 24-lap race, and both Alex Rins and Joan Mir were able to make strong starts from their 3rd and 4th row grid spots. The first lap saw huge drama with a 4-rider collision between the front runners, and this promoted Alex into 3rd place. As soon as the Spaniard slotted into this position he showed his determination and pace, fighting hard behind Petrucci to make his way into 2nd place. Joan Mir also benefitted from the first lap commotion, and the rookie found himself in a strong 6th place. Staying close to the battle in front of him, he was finally able to showcase his improved feeling with the GSX-RR and his very respectable race pace. This 6th place marks a best ever MotoGP result for the youngster.
Whilst embroiled in the battle for 2nd place, Rins attempted a pass on Petrucci into Turn 1 but was forced to sit up to avoid hitting the Italian, this unsettled his bike and he made a very impressive save to stay on the track. Following this frightening moment Alex slipped back to 6th, but he kept his focus and pushed on to take a very important 4th place and 13 points.
Sylvain Guintoli finished the race in 13th place, and he will continue his crucial work with the team alongside Alex and Joan in tomorrow’s test.
Ken Kawauchi – Technical Manager
“The best thing about today is that all three riders took points, which is a good result as a Team. Joan was very impressive today, showing us how well he can perform, and getting his best result so far. We’re seeing how fast he’s learning and growing with us. We all hoped Alex could get a podium here, but we’re still satisfied with 4th in the circumstances. Sylvain also provided some useful data for us this weekend and we’re grateful to him.”
Davide Brivio – Team Manager
“I have to thank the riders for the great race today. Alex was fighting very hard at the front despite struggling with tyre feel, which was different to his feeling in practice and warm-up. Of course, we were a bit lucky, but finishing 4th on a day when we’re struggling is a real positive. Finishing in the Top 5 and taking some good points is important, even if we had hoped for more. Joan was with the front group again, like he was in Qatar, and it was really great to see. Getting his best finish has helped him to build his confidence. Sylvain did his usual great work with us, and he also had a good finish, so thank you to him too. Overall, it’s been a positive race all around.”
Alex Rins
“I’m a little bit disappointed with my result because I felt I could have a really good result this weekend – but on the other hand, considering I had some problems during the race, it’s not a bad result. It was a complicated and difficult race and it was a shame to see the crash between Lorenzo and the others, especially as it gave Marquez even more of an advantage. The track was very hot, which made it hard on the tyres and I struggled with feeling, especially in the right-hand turns. Ideally I would have got a better start and gone with Marc, but in the end it wasn’t possible. Anyway, I’m quite pleased to have finished 4th despite my struggles.”
Joan Mir
“It was a difficult race because the track temperature was so high. On the first few laps I tried to conserve the tyres and manage my race well. I hope to continue my season like this, finishing races and building my experience and confidence. This is the second strong race for me after Qatar and I’m really glad to have been able to get a good result. Tomorrow I’ll work with the bike in the test and continue to learn.”
Sylvain Guintoli
“It was a hard race because the track wasn’t very grippy, which meant a lot of sliding – which can actually be very fun, but it makes it more difficult to be fast and consistent. I struggled a bit off the start but then I found myself with Oliveira and enjoyed a fight with him for a while. I’m really glad to have scored points here and to help the team out. It’s been great to be back on the GSX-RR.”
GP of Catalunya – Race Classification:
1. Marc MARQUEZ Repsol Honda Team 40’31.175
2. Fabio QUARTARARO Petronas Yamaha SRT +2.660
3. Danilo PETRUCCI Mission Winnow Ducati +4.537
4. Alex RINS Team SUZUKI ECSTAR +6.602
5. Jack MILLER Pramac Racing +6.870
6. Joan MIR Team SUZUKI ECSTAR +7.040
7. Pol ESPARGARO Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +16.144
8. Takaaki NAKAGAMI LCR Honda IDEMITSU +17.969
9. Tito RABAT Reale Avintia Racing +22.661
10. Johann ZARCO Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +26.228
11. Andrea IANNONE Aprilia Racing Team Gresini +32.036
12. Miguel OLIVEIRA Red Bull KTM Tech 3 KTM +44.666
13. Sylvain GUINTOLI Team SUZUKI ECSTAR +51.363
Not Classified
35 Cal CRUTCHLOW LCR Honda CASTROL
21 Franco MORBIDELLI Petronas Yamaha SRT
63 Francesco BAGNAIA Pramac Racing
55 Hafizh SYAHRIN Red Bull KTM Tech 3
46 Valentino ROSSI Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP
4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO Mission Winnow Ducati
12 Maverick VIÑALES Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP
99 Jorge LORENZO Repsol Honda Team
41 Aleix ESPARGARO Aprilia Racing Team Gresini
17 Karel ABRAHAM Reale Avintia Racing
38 Bradley SMITH Aprilia Racing Team
MotoGP Championship Standings:
1. Marc MARQUEZ Honda 140
2. Andrea DOVIZIOSO Ducati 103
3. Alex RINS Suzuki 101
4. Danilo PETRUCCI Ducati 98
5. Valentino ROSSI Yamaha 72
6. Jack MILLER Ducati 53
7. Fabio QUARTARARO Yamaha 51
8. Takaaki NAKAGAMI Honda 48
9. Pol ESPARGARO KTM 47
10. Cal CRUTCHLOW Honda 42
11. Maverick VIÑALES Yamaha 40
12. Franco MORBIDELLI Yamaha 34
13. Aleix ESPARGARO Aprilia 27
14. Joan MIR Suzuki 22
15. Jorge LORENZO Honda 19
16. Johann ZARCO KTM 16
17. Miguel OLIVEIRA KTM 12
18. Andrea IANNONE Aprilia 7
19. Michele PIRRO Ducati 9
20. Francesco BAGNAIA Ducati 9
21. Tito RABAT Ducati 9
22. Stefan BRADL Honda 6
23. Sylvain GUINTOLI Suzuki 3
24. Karel ABRAHAM Ducati 2
25. Hafizh SYAHRIN KTM 2
26. Bradley SMITH Aprilia
