SBK, Rinaldi: “I was on the wrong trajectory, I could’ve been on the podium or fight for the race”

Race 1 in Mandalika didn’t even last 100 meters for Michael Rinaldi. The rider from Romagna did it all himself at the start of the race. He made a mistake when braking and, as he fell, he touched  Bassani. Fortunately, Axel managed to stay on the bike, while the Aruba rider raised a white flag.

“Fortunately, nothing happened to me,”  he said. “But, in the fall, I hit my head on the asphalt, so I went to the medical center for a check-up. Tomorrow I’ll get checked again, to be at the start of the races”

Michael explained the incident.

“I braked hard, going through a dirty inner line, which I never do, without being able to stop the bike. I tried to avoid the other riders, but touched Bassani, then I ended up falling. I’m sorry about the fall, especially because I couldn’t see how things would’ve gone. Given the course of the race, I think we could have certainly  fought for the podium, and that’s why I’m even more disheartened. Fortunately, the fall had no consequences for me or the other riders on the track. After yesterday and this morning, the potential was high. Now we just have to think about doing some nice races on Sunday.”