English
Italiano
Day one of testing has seen the baptism of the Buriram track, set to host the world championship this coming October. Riders had eight hours in which to discover the track's secrets. Marquez was left surprised: “Yesterday, on the scooter, I thought it was a very fast track, but today with the MotoGP I found it was slower than I expected– commented the six-time champion - there are many second to third gear corners, with some tough braking and acceleration. Managing tyre consumption will be difficult here”.
He is echoed by Dani Pedrosa: “The circuit is tight and it's important to find the right lines – analysed the Honda rider - I think it's important to get some miles under our belts, a key aspect is to have good speed though the first sector, where there are two straights”.
Some got to see the Chang track before others. Valentino Rossi for instance: “The track isn't bad, at first it reminded me of Austria but the turns and straights are like those in Argentina. I have to say that the track is in good condition, as is the asphalt – he adds – technically it's easy”. A comparison with Malaysia? “I'd say it's a lot easier. At least here, when you breathe you know you're breathing oxygen, not the case in Malaysia”.
Rossi's comparison with Termas de Rio Hondo is also shared by Vinales: “This track is quite close to that of Argentina, there are various slow turns and I have to say I really like it". In the Ducati camp, Andrea Dovizioso is still trying to get to grips with the track's secrets: “I'd say it's strange, there are some sharp turns and then some more flowing ones. It's not complicated but you need to know how and where to brake”. Lorenzo on the other hand: “The Chang track is beautiful, though complicated in terms of finding the limit. I'd say that the last corner is dangerous, particularly if it rains. The same goes for the previous one too”.
Petrucci also voiced his opinion: “I really like the track. I expected to find a track with some tough braking points and it is like that, but there are also fast turns. The track is in great condition, the asphalt offers a lot of grip and we're already a lot quicker with respect to SBK times”. Danilo goes on: “The most important points are the exits out of the first two corners, because these are followed by long straights. The last three corners are also key, where you build up a lot of speed.” Rather than Argentina, Petrucci compares Buriram to another track: “There are few turns, and you need to complete them perfectly to set a good time, a bit like Monza – he concludes - Come race day, I expect a real battle at the final corner”.
