It was great to see ex-MotoGP rider Toni Elias take pole in the first Moto2 race. It was made all the more impressive by the fact he was on crutches after a recent operation on his foot and hand.

Toni Elias (1st – 2´ 01″ 904):
“I´m happy and surprised because I didn´t expect to go so fast after this evening´s free practice, which didn´t go well – partly due to my physical condition but also partly due to the set-up. The team worked hard to give me an easier bike to ride and then I was lucky to get behind Simon, who I was able to follow. I gave it everything and ended up with a magnificent lap time. Honestly speaking when I was back at home starting my rehabilitation I was thinking it would be hard to even make it out to Qatar and when I eventually made it out here I was struggling. Psychologically I have had to be really strong and I´ve adapted to the situation. I´m really happy. ”

His team-mate, Vladimir Ivanov, and faces a tough race starting from 33rd on a packed grid – he said, “I’m really not happy today and I can’t tell you what it was that didn’t work – me or the bike. Either way I am at the back of the grid and after yesterday’s session I was hoping for much better.”

Popularity: 2% [?]

Subscribe to the post comments feeds or Leave a trackback