Ratthapark Wilairot believes improvements to his Moriwaki chassis will give him a better chance of challenging for points at Jerez. The Gresini Moto2 squad struggled for pace in Qatar and the Thai rider ended up down in 21st, a result he expects to better this weekend.
“In Qatar it proved difficult for our team for improve and challenge at the front. We knew what the problem was and we tried very hard to fix it, changing many things on the bike, but the problem remained. Our target at Qatar in the end was just to finish the race, check the information and find out more about the bike. We have had three weeks between Qatar and Jerez and every day I have been training in the gym and working with the doctor on my knee. Now my knee is a lot better and now it is a case of building my strength and confidence on the bike. We have some good news to look forward to from Moriwaki, who have been working very hard on the bike. Jerez is a very nice circuit for me, I always enjoy riding there but at this track every rider in Moto2 has tested many times so the lap times are very strong. I am confident about what I can do at Jerez and we’ll certainly try very hard to be at the front.”
Teammate Gino Rea will be hoping for the same after testing Moriwaki's updates at Suzuka. Team Manager Fausto Gresini expects to see those improvements translate into a good result on Sunday.
“The Grand Prix of Qatar was a disappointment for the team and for Ratthapark Wilairot so we have no option but to make up for it at Jerez. At Losail ‘Feem’ never managed to get a good feel for the bike, which is still a little behind with the 2012 updates. Gino Rea went to Japan last week to complete a test for Moriwaki at Suzuka and hopefully the fruit of that work can be reaped by both him and Ratthapark at Jerez.”