Team Suzuki Press Office – July 7.
Joan Mir: 7th (+ 17.156)
Alex Rins: DNF
• Joan Mir secures strong finish with 7th place.
• Alex Rins crashes out of ‘safe’ 2nd place.
• Team head to the summer break in reflective mood.
The German GP, the final round before this year’s summer break, brought a tough race for Team SUZUKI ECSTAR following a very promising Friday and Saturday.
Both riders chose the medium-hard tyre combination for the demanding 30 lap race, and both got away from the line in good shape. Rins quickly slotted into the lead group with 4th place, while Mir placed himself in a pacy 10th.
As Marquez began to pull away at the front, Rins wasted no time in making his move into 2nd place, setting the fastest lap, and aiming to keep his rival as close as possible. Alex then settled into a strong rhythm to hold a ‘safe’ second position for a large portion of the race. Unfortunately, with 11 laps to go, Alex suffered a quick crash and was unable to rejoin the race. Luckily he did not pick up any injuries.
MotoGP rookie, Joan Mir, was feeling comfortable in his fast and experienced second group. A small mistake set him back for a couple of laps, but he was ready to fight again towards the end of the race. Mir had 4th place in his sights as he battled with the three Ducatis ahead of him, and he held 5th place for a number of laps. However, as the chequered flag flew, he had dropped to a respectable 7th place.
Coming into the summer break, Rins holds 4th place in the championship standings with 101 points. Mir is 13th with 39 points.
Ken Kawauchi – Technical Manager:
“It was such a shame that Alex had a crash here, because both times I think we would have been on the podium. But we’ll fight back after the summer break. Joan did a great battle with those in his group and he is continuing to improve all the time. We wanted to have a great weekend in honour of Ito-san [Mitsuo Ito, former Suzuki racer and TT winner who has died last Wednesday – ndr], and it didn’t work out quite as we’d hoped, but we’re really looking forward to coming back in Brno.”
Davide Brivio – Team Manager:
“It was a pity for Alex that he crashed, because he was in a good position and he had space around him, therefore we missed a chance for another good result. But these things happen. Joan did a really good race, he was faster than his group at times, but it’s difficult to overtake here in Sachsenring. Anyway, it was great for him to be around much more experienced riders, and battle with them. We’re looking forward to the second half of the season, we’re competitive and we can try to go for good results. We’ll do our best.”
Joan Mir:
“It was really nice to fight for top positions in a quick group, but I made some mistakes and I had to recover some places, which cost me a bit. Anyway, I’m happy with my performance and my pace, it was difficult to pass the other riders in front of me, but I gave it my best shot and I could bring home seventh. Now it’s time for a little break with my family, and then I’ll start preparing for part two!”
Alex Rins:
“I lost a podium today. My feeling with the bike was really nice and I tried to get into second place as soon as possible because I felt that my rhythm was strong. Unfortunately, I lost the front on a fast right-hander, I entered into it just a couple of kilometres per hour faster than usual, and that’s why I crashed. It’s a shame because it’s my second DNF in a row, but I still feel positive because my pace has been good recently and I know I can get good results again when we come back after the break.”
GP of Germany – Race Classification:
1. Marc MARQUEZ Repsol Honda Team 41’08.276
2. Maverick VIÑALES Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP +4.587
3. Cal CRUTCHLOW LCR Honda CASTROL +7.741
4. Danilo PETRUCCI Ducati Team +16.577
5. Andrea DOVIZIOSO Ducati Team +16.669
6. Jack MILLER Pramac Racing +16.836
7. Joan MIR Team SUZUKI ECSTAR +17.156
8. Valentino ROSSI Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP +19.110
9. Franco MORBIDELLI Petronas Yamaha SRT +20.634
10. Stefan BRADL Repsol Honda Team +22.708
11. Tito RABAT Reale Avintia Racing +26.345
12. Pol ESPARGARO Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +26.574
13. Andrea IANNONE Aprilia Racing Team Gresini +32.753
14. Takaaki NAKAGAMI LCR Honda IDEMITSU +32.925
15. Karel ABRAHAM Reale Avintia Racing +37.934
16. Hafizh SYAHRIN Red Bull KTM Tech 3 +41.615
17. Francesco BAGNAIA Pramac Racing +56.189
18. Miguel OLIVEIRA Red Bull KTM Tech 3 +57.377
Not Classified
41 Aleix ESPARGARO Aprilia Racing Team Gresini
42 Alex RINS Team SUZUKI ECSTAR
5 Johann ZARCO Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
20 Fabio QUARTARARO Petronas Yamaha SRT
