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Moto2, Arbolino: "MotoGP is fading, it's not time for a change yet"

Tony: "The podium in Aragon was as much for me as it was for the guys on the team. We regaining speed." The VR46 Master Camp team in the Moto2 is expected to become the Pramac Yamaha Moto2 team with a Boscoscuro frame.  

Moto2: Arbolino:

The Aragon GP had never been a favorite circuit in Tony Arbolino's career, and the weather and track conditions certainly didn't make life any easier for the riders in the intermediate category, who were called upon to test the asphalt conditions before the MotoGP. But, at times, predictions are known to be wrong, and there's maybe some irony in the fact that Tony Arbolino took his first podium of the season on the most hostile circuit, in a more difficult year than the rider from Garbagnate probably expected.

The Marc VDS team rider started fifth from the second row on the grid and, at the first lap, he managed to impose himself on his rivals by immediately lining up  behind Dixon. On lap four, the Italian took the lead, but the CFMoto Aspar team rider responded and moved back up. From there on,  the race became a mental battle for Arbolino against is British opponent, attempting to push his rival into making a mistake while trying to avoid making one himself. It's a silver, and  Tony can finally breathe a sigh of relief after a season full of uncertainties and not much satisfaction.

This podium finish is a breath of fresh air in a difficult season.
"Yes, it hasn't been an easy season, but I'm regaining speed," Tony Arbolino said. "I had this feeling at Assen, but there was always something that didn't allow me and my bike to reach the positions that count. But here, in Aragon, things went differently. We took a direction that worked. We took a significant step forward. Today, in the race, from lap four, we were able to distance ourselves from the rest of the riders. Jake Dixon managed the race really well. In the last stages of the race, he had that extra something that allowed him to push and, on some occasions, I had to touch my balls (tn. for good luck)!" the Italian rider said jokingly.  "I was not able to follow him. His pace was incredible. I tried to get in front and push, but Dixon was really fast, and I had to manage. It's a good podium. The  sensastions on the bike were great, and I hope to continue to have them during the rest of the season."

On a scale from 1 to 10, how liberating is this podium?
"I'd say an eight and a half!" Arbolino admitted, with self-criticism. "I'm not at ten  because, when I was up there fighting, I couldn't think about coming from this difficult period. Even though I was second, I didn't want to finish the race there. I would've preferred to finish further ahead, to end with a win. I had to keep my composure. I took a couple of risks, and you had to keep cool and bring home a good result. But it's good to get this podium, especially here in Aragon, which has never been among my best circuits in my career, so I'm very satisfied."

The signs of improvement were already there in the past few races. What are you missing to further progress?
"We're still missing a bit of sensation with the bike, but it's not easy to find it. So, what I can do now is continue to adapt and try to collect what we can. With the Pirelli, I felt good starting from  the first tests, to be honest, but something was always missing at the end of the race. I think WP has progressed, especially in the rear mono, and Ohlins might do something more next year but, in the end, riding style also matters a lot."

The next podium opportunities could be as early as Misano.
"It's important to try to be in the front group at the beginning of the race. It wasn't an easy season for me. I kept changing something in every race, so the key will be to maintain this base and try to get the most out of my riding style."

There's no chance of a possible jump into the MotoGP now?
"I think they're all done in the MotoGP by now. I don't even think about it honestly. But I really needed this podium. I needed to feel good, also with the Marc VDS team guys who have continued to work and believe in me since the first test. There will be a change, but it's not yet time to change category."

One possibility in the Italian's future, however, could be within the new Yamaha project. In fact, within the agreement with the Pramac team in the MotoGP, the VR46 Master Camp team in the Moto2 should become the Pramac Yamaha Moto2 team with a Boscoscoscuro frame, therefore, creating a pyramid system similar to the one already put in place for years by other European manufacturers, such as KTM.

 

Translated by Leila Myftija

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