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After several crashes yesterday, and then today for Rins and Iannone, riders have complained about safety at the Valencia track. The first observation regards the lack of air fencing, the inflatable protective barriers positioned in order to soften any impact against the hard barriers.
Loris Capirossi, responsible for safety, explains: "at Valencia there has never been any air fencing, we didn't remove it, also because, during an official IRTA test protection must be the same as it is for the Grand Prix. There is no air fencing because there's never been any need for it, the barriers are far away and even at Turn 12 there have never been any issues in the past".
As we speak, the marshals are preparing additional barriers, as shown in the above photo.
This is not the riders' only observation, as the crashes at Turn 12 appear to have been causes by the slippery white lines and kerb. Particular paint is used for these elements, paint that offers grip, but the three-day race weekend has had an effect and they no longer offer the right grip when riders pass over them.
Sam Lowes is the first to have to wave the white flag. The new Aprilia recruit won't be on track today. He crashed yesterday and, despite not suffering any fractures, contusions mean he is not 100%. It's more prudent to stop and prepare well for next week's test at Jerez.
